Persebaya rescinds

Persebaya rescinds
its withdrawal

JAKARTA (JP): Only one day after Surabaya's Persebaya
announced its withdrawal from the Indonesian soccer league on
Thursday night, the East Javanese team had to eat its words.

Persebaya chairman Sunarto Sumoprawiro, who is also Surabaya
Mayor, was forced to change his decision following pressure from
superior authorities.

"I think I must follow orders from my superiors." Sunarto was
quoted on Saturday by the Surabaya-based Surya daily as saying.

East Javanese governor Basofi Soedirman, Chief of the East
Javanese Military Command Maj. Gen. Haris Sudarno and the chief
administrators of the All Indonesia Football Federation (PSSI)
were reported by Jawa Pos yesterday to have told him by telephone
to remain in the league and continue in the national professional
soccer competition.

"I strongly oppose the withdrawal. Please avoid emotion and
narrow-mindedness," Governor Basofi had said.

Persebaya administrators decided to pull their team out of the
league a few hours after a PSSI disciplinary commission
prohibited both Persebaya and its rival PSIM from hosting one
match at home.

The commission also required them to play their first home
matches 200 kilometers away from their bases when the league
resumes after the end of the fasting month in March.

The disciplinary measures were imposed after fans of the two
teams were involved in a riot which led to the death of Persebaya
supporter Suhermansyah during the match between the two teams in
Yogyakarta, PSIM's home base, on Jan. 28.

Persebaya regarded the punishment as unfair because it had to
bear the same sanctions as PSIM, even though the fatality had
been one of its supporters and that it had been the duty of the
Central Javanese host team to prevent the riot.

PSSI secretary general Soepardjo Pontjowinoto said that
although he understood Persebaya's objections, it would be
impossible for the disciplinary commission to change its
decision.

"If we did, people would think that we were inconsistent,"
Soepardjo said.

Meanwhile, PSSI match administrator Max Boboy announced on
Saturday additional disciplinary measures which require the two
teams to play their next opponents in a closed stadium without
any public spectators at all. "Each playing team will be allowed
to bring 19 players and six officials only," Max said.

In addition, the two teams will also have to pay all the costs
incurred for transporting their guest teams at least 200
kilometers away from their home bases to the places which PSSI
will soon determine, Max said.

Persebaya is scheduled to play Mitra Surabaya on March 15 and
PSIM is scheduled to meet PSM Ujung Pandang on March 12. (arf)