PSSI warns foreigners playing for local clubs to behave
JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) warned foreign players on Monday who are competing in the quarterfinals of the Bank Mandiri national soccer league in Jakarta to improve their behavior following an incident that occurred on Sunday between Persija Jakarta and Arema Malang.
PSSI official in charge of the disciplinary commission Andi Darussalam Tabusala said on Monday that he would meet with team managers from four clubs competing in Group A and their foreign players on Monday evening.
"We want to tell the foreign players that they are here to show local players and spectators how to play beautiful soccer."
"If they are arrogant and feel more superior to local players, they'd better not come," he said.
Group A, staging its matches at Senayan Stadium, consists of Persija, Persikota Tangerang, Pelita Solo and Arema. Group B matches at Mattoangin Stadium in Makassar, South Sulawesi, feature PSM Makassar, Pupuk Kaltim of East Kalimantan, PSMS Medan and Persijatim of East Jakarta.
Apart for Pupuk Kaltim, the clubs have hired at least two foreign players for their squads.
Darussalam said his commission would sanction Brazilian midfielder Luciano Leandro of Persija by banning him from playing in the next five matches. He has also been fined Rp 3.75 million (US$403).
Leandro was given a red card by referee Yulius Dede after he hit Arema's Chilean midfielder, Rodrigo F. Araya, in the 68th minute. It is believed that Leandro was provoked by Araya, who became annoyed after Leandro knocked his fellow countryman, Juan Pacho Rubio, down in the 68th minute. Dede issued a yellow card to Araya.
Darussalam also said that there would be no review of the referees' performances during the opening match.
"All the referees assigned in the opening matches in Jakarta and Makassar are doing well," he said.
Darussalam said he would send a warning letter to Arema, telling the East Java club to discipline Araya and Rubio.
"We will warn Arema because their foreign players have violated the rules of sportsmanship, and both players have showed violent tendencies," he said.
Replacement
Persija executive chairman Tonny Adiputra said Leandro would be replaced by Khair Rifo in the second match against Pelita Solo on Tuesday.
"The 2-1 defeat by Arema does not discourage us. We're sure that we can earn the semifinal ticket," he told a media briefing at the Persija secretariat in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
He also said that Persija, as the host and organizers, would reduce ticket prices to attract more spectators and deploy an extra 500 army personnel to provide security for the match. The cheapest ticket, which was originally Rp 20,000, will be sold at Rp 15,000. The most expensive remains at Rp 100,000.
Separately, Pelita coach Danurwindo said he would change his midfielder Haryanto Prasetyo with Maman after a disappointing 0-1 loss to Persikota.
"We lost the ball too many times because our midfielders failed to do their tasks. The defenders supplied the ball too quickly to the strikers and it was easy for the Persikota players to intercept the ball," he said.
Danurwindo, a former national team coach, also said Pelita would not give up so easily. "Pelita manager has targeted us to qualify for the final. We have no other choice."
Winarto, Arema's assistant coach, said Arema wanted to be the first team to qualify for the semis.
"Persikota and Arema have equal chance to qualify. We won't tie. We will apply a different strategy in the next match," he said, adding that his team would pay close attention to Persikota strikers Komang Mariawan and Saphou Lassy. (ivy)
Tuesday's match schedule (first match at 5 p.m., second match at 7 p.m., Jakarta time)
Group A: Arema vs Persikota; Pelita vs Persija
Group B: PSMS vs Persijatim; PKT vs PSM