"The president and the whole of the Fifa family are deeply distressed by the tragedy in South Africa and are in mourning along with all the families affected by the events," a Fifa spokesman said on behalf of the president of world soccer's ruling body.

He added that Fifa was waiting for official confirmation of the causes of the Ellis Park tragedy before making an official statement later on Thursday.

The ruling body was also working on a letter of condolence for the families of the victims, he said.