PSSI asks security officers to screen spectators: Eddy

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)