PSSI asks security officers to screen spectators: Eddy
JAKARTA (JP): Following a verbal warning from the world soccer body FIFA, the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) set up precautionary measures for its 2002 World Cup Asia Zone Group Nine qualifying matches.
PSSI will ask security officers to monitor visitors entering the Bung Karno stadium in Senayan complex for Indonesia's second home match against Cambodia on April 22, PSSI spokesman Eddy Elison said on Wednesday, adding that Cambodia will arrive on April 20.
PSSI's request was made after match commissioner Pham Ngoc Vien of Vietnam, who was assigned by FIFA, witnessed firecrackers being set off during Indonesia's match against Maldives, in which the host won 5-0 on Sunday.
Scores of fans rushed onto the field after the victory.
"The police will increase the number of personnel guarding the stadium. Additional officers will be posted at the gates to screen anybody entering the stadium," Eddy said after a meeting to review security deployment during the qualifier.
He said more security officers would be assigned around the field to prevent fans entering it.
"The police also pledged to field more security officers around the player's lounge and the pressroom to prevent fans from flocking the areas to ask for autographs."
Eddy said that after the Indonesia-Maldives match, police arrested two young males, 21 years old and 25 years old, carrying huge firecrackers in their bags but he refused to identify them.
Eddy said that they claimed to be members of Jak-Mania, a group of Jakarta-based Persija supporters.
Earlier, security officers claimed that the firecrackers came from the bleachers where the Jak-Mania sat. The group received a 50 percent discount on tickets to see the match.
"The two men said that they got the firecrackers from their friends and they brought them to celebrate Indonesia's victory.
"They realized that their activities could endanger other people. They pleaded guilty and expressed regret. So the police only detained them for 24 hours before setting them free."
If such an incident is repeated, PSSI could receive notification from FIFA, the maximum penalty of which is being banned from hosting the last home match against China on May 27.
In Phnom Penh, AP reported that the Cambodian Football Federation announced on Wednesday it will bring back its star player for Saturday's World Cup qualifying match against the Maldives.
Striker Hok Sochetra, a 27-year-old mobile phone company employee, will suit up for Cambodia when it takes the field Sunday hoping to avenge a 6-0 loss two weeks ago in the Maldives, the team's German coach, Joachim Fickert, said at a news conference.
Hok Sochetra, who has scored four of Cambodia's last six goals in international competition, left the team earlier this year to work to support his family.
It was unclear for how long he would rejoin the team, which is attempting to use players aged 18 to 20 to build for the future, Fickert said.
Fickert said his team lost its poise in the Maldives when it fell behind 2-0 and must be mentally tougher. Cambodian Football Federation president Khek Ravy said he was "sure" Cambodia would win on Sunday. (ivy)