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)