Clubs to pay the price for fan's behavior

Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is preparing a rule that would make clubs liable for sanctions against their players, officials or supporters, according to Togar Manahan Nero, the head of the association's disciplinary commission.

Penalties, including disqualification from the league, would also be sought for clubs that fail to run their internal competition.

"A club could be fined up to Rp 200 million (about US$23,500) for an offense committed by its players, officials or supporters," Togar said on Wednesday.

Togar said that the commission would submit its proposal to the PSSI's secretary-general for approval from its chairman.

"The rule will come into effect as soon as PSSI's chairman Nurdin Halid approves it. We could expect his approval within a week," he told The Jakarta Post.

New clauses in the association's regulations would clarify what was unacceptable behavior in the vicinity of the stadium.

The proposal stipulates that the involvement of a player, official or supporter in a brawl in the vicinity of the stadium before, during or after a match would result in a sanction against the related club in accordance with articles 25, 26 and 28.

The proposal follows a recent clash which resulted in a number of players being banned and fined but their clubs -- Persija Jakarta and Persita Tangerang -- escaping sanctions.

PSSI's Secretary General Nugraha Besoes said that such a regulation would be necessary to discourage unruly behavior.