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)