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)