Persija escapes sanction from PSSI disciplinary commission

JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) disciplinary committee made a surprising decision Monday by deciding not to sanction Persija for the unruly behavior of its fans when hosting Persib Bandung during the Bank Mandiri league at Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan on June 24.

Committee chairman Andi Darussalam Tabusala told reporters that Persija had made adequate preparations for the match, including arranging sufficient security to prevent any possible violence during the match.

"Top Persija officials and the match organizers had coordinated with the Jakmania fan club and had taken all necessary steps to ensure that the match ran smoothly. They had provided 350 security guards plus 150 officials as backup."

Darussalam said that neither club was responsible for the incident during which police fired tear gas to quell the violence just two minutes before the match ended when Persija won 3-0.

"The chief of the Central Jakarta Police operations center, Adj. Comr. Paulus Waterpauw, was responsible for the incident. So Persija is not going to be sanctioned," he said, adding that the behavior of supporters was not a club's responsibility.

He also said the police action was in accordance with standard operating procedures.

"The security officials had earlier seen supporters from both teams become aggressive when they were still at the entrance to the stadium. In the 88th minute, police noticed that Persija fans were about to approach Persib supporters who were on the opposite side of the stadium.

"The sudden movement of supporters forced the police to withdraw and take cover from the missiles thrown by supporters.

"Upon seeing this, Waterpauw instructed his personnel to fire tear gas to halt their movement. The police were following their standard operating procedures."

But Persija had to provide compensation for the damage worth Rp 20 million (US$1,754).

In contrast, the PSSI warned Persikab of Bandung regency and Persijatim of East Jakarta about their supporters' unruly behavior. Both teams were also put under probation for three matches and fined Rp 5 million.

Violence broke out when Persikab met Persib in a derby match at Sangkuriang stadium in Cimahi, West Java, on June 28 and when Persijatim played PSDS of Deli Serdang here on June 14.

In respect of both incidents, the committee banned PSDS players Eka M. and Irwanto, Persijatim player Stanley Mamuaya and Persikab player Agus Musfar from playing in any event staged by the PSSI for one year and all were fined Rp 1 million.

Darussalam said the committee would also probe referee Agus Winardi decisions over fouls when Persijatim played Persikota of Tangerang.

In an unrelated development, Indonesia's team will play friendlies with the Jakarta State University (UNJ) team and first division side Karnos prior to its West Australian tour in mid- July.

Coach Benny Dolo had also confirmed that defender Sunar Sulaeman had returned to his hometown in East Kalimantan last Saturday for traditional medication for his injury.

"We are still waiting for his recovery. We haven't dismissed him from the team," he said. (ivy)