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