FIFA, world soccer's ruling body, said on Thursday it was "extremely shocked" by the deaths of at least 126 people in a soccer stadium tragedy in Ghana.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has sent a letter of condolence to the president of the Ghana Football Association wich states: "It was with deep shock and dismay that I heard early today of the terrible tragedy at the match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Assanta Kotoko in Accra yesterday evening.

"My thoughts and prayers, and those of the FIFA family, dwell today on the men, women and children who perished in this disastrous incident and the multitude of families and friends forced to suffer untold grief and bereavement.

"This is indeed a very sad moment for our sport."

FIFA said Blatter called for tighter security at football stadia and said it was the responsibility of the political authorities and national associations, leagues and clubs to "take all of the necessary security precautions and to follow FIFA's security instructions to the letter".

On 18 April, the FIFA Emergency Committee supported an action plan that would oblige national associations and confederations to appoint specialised security officers to take charge of match organisation and security.

Police fired tear gas at the match in Accra in an attempt to regain control after angry Asante fans ripped up plastic chairs and hurled them on to the pitch.

Stadium security will be on the agenda of the FIFA executive committee meeting on July 5 in Buenos Aires, FIFA said.