League matches may be stopped, PSSI warns<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) will
\nsuspend the league program due to the worsening political
\nsituation only if requested to do so by the Armed Forces
\nCommander.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the federation Azwar Anas said yesterday he had
\nwritten to the Minister of Defense\/Armed Forces Commander Gen.
\nWiranto to ask whether the league should be suspended for
\nsecurity reasons.<\/p>\n
Azwar said Wiranto had not yet responded to his letter.
\nPending Wiranto's decision, Azwar said the competition would
\ncontinue.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot tolerate violence in sport, especially soccer,
\nwhich is the most popular sport,\" Azwar said.<\/p>\n
He was referring to a number of riots at soccer matches
\nearlier this month. He suspected the riots were part of the
\ncountry-wide movement demanding political and economic reform.<\/p>\n
\"The incidents were not simply riots caused by the soccer
\ncrowd. Certain people who want to spark social disturbance may
\nhave been involved,\" Azwar said.<\/p>\n
It was the second statement on the issue made by Azwar. He
\nalso commented on the disturbances at the federation's
\nanniversary celebrations last week.<\/p>\n
Former Armed Forces commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung called a
\none-month lull in the competition while the General Session of
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly was sitting. The league
\nresumed on March 22.<\/p>\n
Azwar said the federation had earlier requested more security
\nback-up for league matches from the Armed Forces to act as a
\ndeterrent to any further incidents.<\/p>\n
The federation plans to discuss these latest developments with
\nclub owners before the league enters the pre-quarterfinal stage
\nnext month, according to Azwar.<\/p>\n
\"We will focus on necessary security measures during matches,\"
\nAzwar said.<\/p>\n
There are 89 matches left before the league enters the knock-
\nout stage. A total of 317 matches will be played during the
\nregular season.<\/p>\n
Riots erupted on May 6 in Surakarta, Central Java when Arseto
\nhosted Pelita from Jakarta. Angry spectators ransacked buildings
\nalong Jl. Slamet Riadi after clashing with security personnel
\ninside the Sriwedari Stadium.<\/p>\n
Riots have also subsequently tarnished matches in Medan in
\nNorth Sumatra, Tangerang and Cimahi in West Java, Surabaya in
\nEast Java, Ujungpandang in South Sulawesi, and Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
Riot police fired warning shots and tear gas to disperse angry
\nmobs in Medan and Tangerang. Dozens of people were arrested after
\nthe stampede.<\/p>\n
In Medan, trouble began after the home side, PSMS, lost 1-0 to
\nPSIS Semarang. The disappointed crowd attacked visiting players,
\nforcing security personnel to deploy stern measures.<\/p>\n
The unrest came just one day after a violent student rally in
\nthe North Sumatran capital. The rally left one student dead and
\ndegenerated into ethnic rioting. (emf)<\/p>",
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