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.