Indonesia goes to FIFA disciplinary commission
JAKARTA (JP): The FIFA disciplinary commission has sought an explanation from the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) for the unruly behavior of local supporters during the 2002 World Cup qualifier against China at Bung Karno Stadium on May 27.
In a letter to PSSI dated June 15, the commission's secretary, Veron Mosengo Omba, said a report from the match referees and commissioner claimed there were "some materials thrown by the spectators into the Chinese officials' bench" during the match.
PSSI secretary-general Tri Goestoro said on Monday the association had responded to the letter. He said PSSI also wanted to make clear the incident was not in retaliation for a similar incident that took place when China hosted Indonesia in Kun Ming on May 13.
"In our letter to FIFA dated June 18, we said we had notified Asian Football Confederation secretary-general Dato Peter Velappan on May 15 about the incident in Kun Ming, where local spectators had thrown missiles at our players, the same type of incident that was repeated in Jakarta.
"At that time, we asked Indonesian journalists covering the match not to report the incident as we wanted to prevent our spectators from taking revenge," he said.
Tri said the disciplinary commission would discuss the matter prior to the extraordinary FIFA congress in Buenos Aires on July 1.
"PSSI hopes that FIFA will reach the most prudent decision on this matter because we are working to develop soccer here," he said.
In the incident in question, Indonesian fans threw mineral water bottles at the Chinese bench and coach Bora Milutinovic, who was shouting instructions to his team from the sidelines, during the May 27 match. The barrage sent the Chinese substitutes scurrying for cover.
No injuries were reported and no arrests were made.
In an unrelated development, an assistant coach to the Indonesian national team, Mundari Karya, said PSSI had asked Firmansyah of Krakatau Steel, a first division club based in Cilegon, Banten, to join the training program for this year's Southeast Asian Games.
"Defenseman Firmansyah has formally been invited to the training center today (Monday). Hopefully he can arrive at the center on Tuesday. He will take the place of Sunar Sulaeman if the latter is unable to perform because of an injury."
Sunar of the Barito Putra club has been slowed by a thigh injury. According to national team doctor Mohammad Nasrun, Sunar will be unable to train for another two weeks. Another injured defender, Supriono, will begin training later this weekend.
Sunar was recently in the news for allegedly falsifying his age. His date of birth as listed in the Bank Mandiri soccer league was different from that in his passport. He recently submitted to officials his birth certificate and diploma to clarify the matter.
Mundari said the team wanted to see how Sunar was progressing before traveling to Perth, Australia, on July 15 for a series of friendlies with local clubs.
"Sunar must take part in the training before we fly to Perth so we can see how he is playing," he said.
He also said that besides Firmansyah, national team coach Benny Dolo had a number of other substitutes, including defender Irlendi of the Putra Samarinda club and striker Zaenal Arif of Persita Tangerang. (ivy)