Referees banned from matches

JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) disciplinary commission has banned four referees and a match commissioner for two years after they violated Bank Mandiri league rules when supervising a match between Persma Manado and Pelita Solo in Manado, North Sulawesi, on May 17.

Head of the commission Andi Darussalam Tabusala named the referees as Suwartono, first assistant referee Ajis Slamet Pramono, second assistant referee Warsito Hadi, substitute referee Andi Hafid M and match commissioner Said Bachmid.

"They broke the league's rules chapters 14, 19 and 32 on players substitution, which is only allowed three times in a match. The referees who disregarded match rules have been suspended and the match result has been postponed," he said Friday.

"The referees will be allowed to supervise matches in 2003. They will also be banned in all matches organized by PSSI in the country and Persma has been fined Rp 10 million (US$880)." (ivy)