JP/3/Hooliga

JP/3/Hooliga

Nine unruly fans sent to the cooler

JAKARTA (JP): The police arrested nine rowdy soccer fans for
hooliganism during the amateur championships at the Senayan
stadium on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Latief Rabar said yesterday the nine were apprehended
at separate occasions as Persebaya played PSMS and Persegres
played Persija in tension filled matches to put the teams through
to the semifinals.

The nine include Munadi, who was reportedly caught red handed
as he set off firecrackers; Farouk who threw plastic bottles,
Bimasan who instigated a riot; Edward Sitorus, Anderson and Olan
Pahpahan for throwing plastic bags containing urine on to the
pitch; Relian Sipayung and Suidi Nasution for burning papers.

"All were captured in the act," said Latief.

The frustration among the supporters of Persegres and PSMS,
which failed to move on to todays' semifinal, is apparently what
led to the incidents.

The PSMS side, well-known for its hordes of fanatic supporters
living in Jakarta, needed only a draw to qualify for the
semifinal.

PSMS went down 2-1 to Persebaya, though the local side was
said to have dominated the play.

After play ended at 9 p.m., the soccer fans reportedly ran
wild on Jl. Jendral Sudirman, pelting passing vehicles with
stones.

"They darted away after that... police failed to capture any
of them," said Latief.

But reports said there was no police presence on the street.

So far, six people have reported damage to their vehicles,
including owners of a Toyota Crown sedan, two Mercedes Benz, one
Mayasari Bhakti public bus and one Suzuki jeep.

"Police had confiscated the stones as evidence," said Latief.

Latief said the police will tighten the security during the
semifinals and championship game, which will take place at the
end of the week. (jsk)