Banned player seeks reduced sentence
JAKARTA (JP): National soccer team defender Mursyid Effendy asked on Saturday for the All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) to back his appeal for clemency from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) which banned him for life from international matches.
"I'm going to lodge an appeal for a milder sentence. But without the national federation's backing it will be in vain," Mursyid said after playing for Persebaya in a friendly match against Pelita Jaya in 10 November Stadium, Surabaya.
The AFC imposed the life ban on Friday after finding Mursyid guilty of deliberately scoring an own goal that disgraced a Tiger Cup match pitting Indonesia against Thailand in August.
Mursyid's goal in the dying minutes give the Thais a 3-2 victory in the match that both sides wanted to lose to avoid a semifinal date with host Vietnam.
The AFC did, however, on Friday lift the international suspension it had imposed on both Thailand and Indonesia.
Mursyid is currently serving a one-year international match ban from the national soccer body for his unsportsmanlike conduct.
"The life ban is too much, because in other words it puts an end to my career. I hope the AFC will show mercy," he said, as quoted by Antara.
Persebaya chairman Sunarto Sumoprawiro supported Mursyid's appeal, saying that he would personally ask PSSI acting chief Agum Gumelar for help.
"PSSI should consider an appeal because the country remains in need of Mursyid's services," Sunarto said.
Persebaya came from behind to beat Jakarta-based Pelita 2-1 in Saturday's match, a warmup for the league which kicks off on Nov. 1.
Pelita trailed offensive-minded Persebaya for 57 minutes after a goal from Indriyanto who finished off a quick counterattack midway into the first half.
Eri Irianto pulled a goal back for the home side from the penalty spot after his teammate Gatot Indra was brought down by I Made Pasek Wijaya in the penalty box. National team midfielder Yusuf Ekodono sealed the issue with a 75th minute header.
Persebaya will meet Persib of Bandung in a charity match in the Senayan Stadium on Wednesday to lift the curtain on the new league. (amd)