Persikota complains about PSSI sanction

Persikota complains about PSSI sanction

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

After being handed a Rp 10 million (US$1,176) fine and having
one of its officials banned for four years, Tangerang-based
Persikota is likely to be the target of more wrath from the
country's governing body, PSSI.

But team manager Wahidin Halim, who is also the mayor of
Tangerang municipality, said he was in no way scared by the
prospect of his being sanctioned for violent conduct during his
team's 3-2 defeat to Persik last week.

Cameronian Epalla Jordan is also facing sanctions, which could
be a seven-year ban and a Rp 200 million fine, for spitting at
Harianto of Persik.

"If PSSI sticks to its view and proceeds with the sanction,
let it go ahead -- that won't discourage me. That won't strip me
of my mayor's status because I'm banned from accompanying my
team," he told The Jakarta Post here at the weekend.

The disciplinary commission of PSSI handed Persikota a Rp 10
million fine and slapped a four-year ban on Mursid last
Wednesday. Mursid was blamed for an offense on assistant referee
Syahrial during an incident following the sending off of Epalla
Jordan.

Jordan was thrown out of the match after he spat at Harianto
in the match, which was halted twice by the fracas. Later, Jordan
was followed by Liberian Yoseph Amoah, who was deemed to handle
the ball inside the penalty box.

Meanwhile, Wahidin is facing his own difficulties after being
considered to have offended match officials when he resisted an
order to step back after being judged to have stood over the
touch line.

Wahidin said the referee took sides with Persik during the
match and slammed him for handing his team two red cards.

"It's not fair that we got two red cards. In the case of
Epalla's expulsion, we could accept it. But Yoseph Amoah? He
committed handball outside the penalty area and I don't think
that deserved a red card," Wahidin said.

Togar Manahan, from the disciplinary commission, said that
they were still considering whether it would be necessary to
punish the manager and Jordan.

Persikota was thrashed by Persebaya 5-0 on Monday, leaving it
in eighth place on 19 points after 14 games.