Gelora goalkeeper banned for 15 months

Gelora goalkeeper banned for 15 months

JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesia Football Association yesterday banned Denpasar-based Gelora Dewata's goalie Erick Ibrahim for 15 months and fined him Rp 750,000 (US$326) for assaulting a linesman in a match at Persma Manado, North Sulawesi on March 10.

The association's disciplinary commission's chairman Azhar Suryobroto said that referee SP Yaroma and linesman Ronald Abbas also received bans for three and nine months respectively to punish their "unprofessional behavior" at the match which ended in a goalless draw after having at one stage been interrupted for brawling.

Match inspector Ismail Idris joined the list of the banned, being exiled from the league until the end of the season for not giving "accurate information to the association" about the brawl.

Azhar said that the punitive measures were taken after hearing reports from Ismail, Yaroma and second linesman Ronald Abbas.

Mislan, owner of Gelora Dewata, and some Denpasar players, including Erick, were also questioned following the incident.

The match burst into a massive brawl involving the visiting Denpasar players and Ronald, following a penalty awarded by Yaroma to the home side, only two minutes to the final whistle.

In protest at the decision, several Gelora Dewata players kicked Ronald, whom they accused of influencing the referee's controversial decision. Ronald replied to the unexpected attack by punching Nus Yadera.

Former national goalkeeper Erick, who had been dismissed from the league for four months previously, rushed up to the linesman and kicked him twice. Ronald was wounded on his forehead.

"I was only trying to prise them apart," Erick complained.

Mislan said that he supported the decisions of the commission. He added that he would let Erick play before receiving a formal letter from the association.

"Erick used to be a member of the national soccer team. He should set a good example to other players, not be rude," Azhar said. (05)