PSSI slaps four-year ban on Chile's Jorge Toledo

Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) banned Persita Tangerang's midfielder Jorge Toledo from playing in Indonesia for four years after the 28-year-old Chilean was blamed for the clash during the Persija-Persita match on Sunday.

Toledo was also fined Rp 20 million (approximately US$2352.94) on Monday.

The suspension took effect immediately after the disciplinary commission finished its meeting on Monday following Sunday's clash involving a number of players and officials from the two sides at the end of the match at the Bung Karno Stadium.

The match, which was one of the opening fixtures in the Indonesian league, ended in a 2-2 draw.

The commission head, Togar Manahan Nero, told a press conference that based on the reports from the referee and match supervisor Toledo had been blamed for deliberately assaulting Ismed Sofyan of Persija.

"The reports say, Persita's number seven jersey (Toledo) had run across the field chasing and punching Persija's player. Therefore we concluded that Toledo had deliberately carried out a serious assault," said Togar, accompanied by three other members of the commission.

When contacted by The Jakarta Post, Satim Sofyan, the secretary general of Persita, was not at home. His wife said that Satim looked upset by the decision.

It is likely that more players and officials would be sanctioned but Togar said that the commission would have to watch the video before making any more decisions.

The commission will also need clarification from the two team's officials, as well as referees and supervisors.

The commission is scheduled to summon the clubs' team managers and representatives on Thursday, after which it is expected to announce sanctions to other involved individuals, as well as the clubs.

The fact that the reports mentioned only Toledo being involved in the incident disappointed Togar, saying that the commission would not tolerate negligence on the part of referees or match supervisors.

"We will take action to find out whether or not they were negligent in making their reports," he said.

The commission also discussed other violations occurring in other matches. But there were no details about sanctions or what actions the commission would take.

During the match between host Persib Bandung and PSPS Pekanbaru, media reported that a number of supporters rushed to the track surrounding the field.

Meanwhile, some fireworks were reportedly set off during the game between PSIS and Persipura Jayapura in Semarang.

A clash between players from the opposing sides was also reported to have taken place during the match between Persijatim and Deltras Sidoarjo in Surakarta.

Meanwhile, PSM Makassar held host PSS Sleman to a 1-1 draw in Yogyakarta on Monday in a continuation of their match following its postponement due to a heavy rain on Sunday.