Persija to appeal for Leandro

JAKARTA (JP): Soccer club Persija will appeal to the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) for leniency over a sanction against its Brazilian midfielder, Luciano Leandro, the club's chairman, Ahmaddin Ahmad, said on Wednesday.

PSSI sanctioned Leandro by barring him from competing in the league for five times and imposing a fine of Rp 3.75 million (US$400) for attacking another player during the league's quarterfinals opener on Sunday.

"We will ask PSSI to reduce Leandro's sanction to three matches. We hope he can join us in the semifinal and final, if we can reach that far," he said.

He also said that Persija would suspend Leandro's salary in July due to the sanction. "We are not paying his salary for one month. I think it's enough," he said, refusing to mention the amount of the salary. (ivy)