Aris handed 4-month suspension

Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As Aris Indarto became the latest player to be banned as a result of a soccer brawl, the national soccer association, PSSI, pondered a draft regulation that would make clubs liable to fines for their offending players.

The PSSI's disciplinary commission meted out a four-month suspension and Rp 10 million (US$1,180) fine to Aris, saying that the Persija defender had assaulted Persita's players at the end of a 2-2 match between Persija and Persita last week at the Bung Karno stadium, which erupted into a full-fledged brawl.

The commission also fined Persija Rp 10 million for its failure as the host team to provide a secure environment for the visitors. During the match, some Persija fans even managed to pass through the security perimeter and onto the field.

The commission also issued a stern warning on Persija's Budi Sudarsono for a false statement broadcast on TV that he had punched a player of the opposite team during the clash.

Commission head Togar Manahan Nero said according to video replays and eyewitnesses, however, Budi was not seen actively participating in the brawl.

Budi told the commission during a hearing, said Togar, that he had lied and his statement was just an emotional outburst.

The commission thus gave him a stern warning, as the statement showed poor sportsmanship.

Monday's sanctions rounded up the spate of punishments delivered since last week. Chilean Jorge Toledo of Persita was the first, with a four-year suspension and Rp 20 million fine.

Following Toledo, the disciplinary commission suspended goalkeeper Samsidar and midfielder Ismed Sofyan of Persija and Persita goalkeeper Ahmad Kurniawan for four months and fined them Rp 10 million each.

However, although the players received harsh punishments, none of their soccer clubs were held responsible for their players' violations.

Togar said the commission was preparing a new regulation that would make clubs responsible for the actions of their players and expected a draft regulation to be ready within a week.

Separately, PSSI secretary-general Nugraha Besoes said such a regulation was necessary and he was looking forward to see clubs being held responsible for their delinquent players.

The regulation could also extend to banning a club from the league, for example, for failing to run regular internal amateur competitions.

Nugraha said that extensive socialization of the draft should be undertaken before the regulation was made effective.