PSSI said too slow in handling hooliganism<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI)
\nwas too slow in reacting to the recent hooliganism in Yogyakarta,
\nMinister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman said yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Since there was no immediate reaction from PSSI, I had to
\nraise the matter myself,\" Hayono said, referring to his threat to
\ndisband the two-month-old Indonesian league.<\/p>\n
The threat has drawn protests from PSSI and the league's
\nadministrators.<\/p>\n
\"The government would not have launched such a direct rebuke,
\nhad PSSI resolved the matter right away and imposed sanctions,\"
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
The incident happened at the Mandala Krida stadium in
\nYogyakarta when the fans of PSIM Yogyakarta threw bottles at
\nPersebaya Surabaya fans while the match was underway.<\/p>\n
Suhermansyah, 40, a supporter of Persebaya Surabaya, was
\ntrampled in the riot which ensued. He died on the way to the
\nhospital.<\/p>\n
Hayono said he still has to report on the measures taken in
\nthe wake of the incident to President Soeharto. He complained
\nthat PSSI is still keeping him waiting for a report on the case.<\/p>\n
PSSI Secretary-General Soeparjo Pontjowinoto said yesterday,
\nthe demanded report will be submitted no later than Monday.<\/p>\n
PSSI announced on Thursday it was prohibiting Persebaya and
\nPSIM from hosting one match each.<\/p>\n
PSIM said it would submit to the disciplinary decision, but
\nPersebaya said the ruling was unfair. Persebaya said it suffered
\nfrom the riot and accused the match inspector of giving a false
\naccount of the incident.<\/p>\n
Withdraw<\/p>\n
Sunarto Sumoprawiro, who is both Persebaya chairman and
\nSurabaya Mayor, announced Persebaya's withdrawal from the league
\nafter an emergency meeting attended by all Persebaya
\nadministrators Thursday night.<\/p>\n
The East Javanese side will face a Rp 50 million (US$22,624)
\nfine if it pulls out prior to the end of the season.<\/p>\n
Hayono said Persebaya's was not a sportsmanlike decision.
\n\"Persebaya should heed not only its own interests, but the
\nnational interest in developing the sport,\" Hayono said.<\/p>\n
He wants Persebaya to reconsider the decision.<\/p>\n
East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman did not take Persebaya's
\nsurprising move seriously, saying: \"The measure is not a severe
\none. Persebaya should accept the decision maturely and wisely.\"<\/p>\n
Soeparjo joined Basofi's stance, saying that PSSI would not
\nrecognize Persebaya's withdrawal before receiving a formal
\nletter. \"I think Persebaya was so emotional that it came to such
\na wrong decision,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hayono reiterated that the league would have to be suspended
\nfor \"quite some time\" to allow for the cooling of emotions and
\nreduction of the desire for revenge over Suhermansyah's death.<\/p>\n
Hayono also proposed that all supporters be given a guide book
\non how to be a good supporter and the legal sanctions they could
\nface for rioting.<\/p>\n
\"Identification tags might be necessary to help determine
\nwhich supporters trigger brawls,\" Hayono suggested. He also urged
\na more active role of the present fan clubs. He said PSSI should
\neventually gain control over the clubs' members. The clubs should
\neducate and, if necessary, give their members banners, which they
\ncould wave instead of throwing stones or bottles in the stadium,
\nHayono added.<\/p>\n
Hayono did not rule out the possibility of checking supporters
\none by one to make sure they do not carry sharp weapons into the
\nstadium. However, Hayono said neither the state nor the public
\nshould bear the cost incurred for such security measures.
\nInstead, Hayono suggested, a security premium be placed on the
\nticket price. (arf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pssi-said-too-slow-in-handling-hooliganism-1447893297",
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