Persija's Leandro shows leniency

Persija's Leandro shows leniency

JAKARTA (JP): The appeal commission of the Soccer Association
of Indonesia (PSSI) showed leniency to Persija's midfielder,
Luciano Leandro, on Thursday, allowing the Brazilian to play in
the final of Bank Mandiri national soccer league if Persija
manages to get that far.

PSSI's disciplinary commission had sanctioned Leandro by
barring him from competing in five matches and fined the player
Rp 3.75 million (US$400) for attacking Arema's Chilean defender,
Francisco Javier Rodriguez Rubio, during the league's
quarterfinals opener on Sunday.

Under the leniency from the appeal commission, headed by Ashar
Suryobroto, Leandro will only skip three matches but will have to
pay a fine of Rp 10 million instead, PSSI spokesman Eddi Elison
announced on Thursday.

"Luciano was provoked when his clothes were snatched by
Arema's player. But as a professional player, Luciano should not
be so easily provoked," he said.

He also dismissed allegations that a certain prominent
individual had asked PSSI to show mercy toward the players. (ivy)