Hooliganism hits again despite punishment

Hooliganism hits again despite punishment

JAKARTA (JP): Hooliganism again found its way into the
Indonesian soccer league after PSIS striker Budiono Sutikno
kicked the match's only goal to beat PSM Ujung Pandang at the
Jatidiri stadium in Semarang, Central Java on Saturday.

PSIS supporters booed and hurtled bottles at PSM players as
they walked of the pitch, Antara reported. PSM supporters
retaliated by throwing stones. The pitch was soon bombarded with
objects and referee Eko was hit in the mouth and lost a tooth.

"Aren't we right to be angry? We came a long way, lost and
still have to eat their indecent words. No way!" Rony, the
coordinator of PSM supporters, scolded.

The three-and-a-half month-old Indonesian league has been
rocked by hooliganism many times. The most serious case happened
on Jan. 29 when PSIM Yogyakarta and Persebaya Surabaya fans
started a riot which claimed the life of a Persebaya supporter.

The All Indonesia Soccer Association punished the clubs by not
allowing them to play a game each and forcing them to play their
"home games" as far away as Semarang and Jakarta. They played
these games after the one-month rest for the Ramadhan fasting
month and had to cover the traveling costs themselves.

The recent brawl in Semarang indicates that the punishment has
not been an deterrent.

In other action, the Bandung-based Persib has topped the West
Division standings after ending Persiraja Banda Aceh's three-
month winning streak with a 4-0 rout on Thursday.

Persib is now leading with 26 points while Persiraja
sandwiches Jakarta's Pelita Jaya which is in second place after
leading throughout most of the opening months.

Persiraja grabbed the top position last week after a 2-1 away
win over Persija Jakarta. Persiraja has never beat Persib.

Persiraja's trouncing left Persebaya Surabaya as the only team
which remains unbeaten since the league kicked-off on Nov. 27
last year.

On the other end of the table, PSIM Yogyakarta has not yet won
a game, only managing a 2-2 draw against Persipura Jayapura from
Irian Jaya after maintaining a 2-0 lead until the 71st minute.

Persebaya, with 21 points, is now ranked second in the East
Division, five points shy of Assyabaab SGS, whose grip on the top
remains unchallenged. (arf)

Results of Saturday's matches
PSIM 2 Persipura 2
PSIS 1 PSM 0
PS Bengkulu 0 Semen Padang 0