Soccer body chairman Agum tells unruly fans to behave
Soccer body chairman Agum tells unruly fans to behave
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Football Association of
Indonesia (PSSI) Agum Gumelar has urged soccer fans nationwide to
avoid violence during matches.
"If soccer fans turn brutal and disrupt matches, they will
damage their clubs' prestige. Their behavior will also disgrace
the image of national soccer," he said on Thursday.
Agum, who is also minister of communications, was referring to
soccer hooligans in Surabaya, better-known as bonek, who
disrupted several matches featuring their favorite club Persebaya
during the sixth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina).
Last month, Surabaya Police banned Persebaya from playing at
their home stadium. East Java Governor Imam Oetomo later
supported the police's decision.
Some soccer clubs in East Java have reportedly refused to
compete against Persebaya as they fear that their supporters will
run amok if their team is defeated.
Agum also warned that hooligans could be politically
motivated.
"Let's not mix politics and sport. I hope soccer can lead the
people to more positive thoughts," he said after attending a
meeting with PSSI official at his office.
It has been alleged that Surabaya hooligans have been
organized by people wishing to discredit Persebaya's chairman
Sunarto Sumoprawiro. Sunarto, who is also the Surabaya mayor, has
installed his brother Karwoto as the club's manager.
Agum said a team from PSSI would negotiate with Surabaya
security officers and local authorities on Friday and ask them to
grant permits for Persebaya to host soccer matches at their home
stadium.
"We hope Surabaya soccer fans will realize that their bad
behavior will disgrace their own and the club's image," he said.
Should the security officers and authorities decline the
request, Agum said he would offer several options to the club.
"First, Persebaya can play their matches with no spectators in
an isolated stadium that cannot be reached easily by supporters,
for example in a military complex, until security officers and
authorities allow them to play in their hometown."
"Persebaya will definitely suffer heavy financial losses but
it will be their own risk," the three-star general said.
He also said Persebaya would not be relegated if it refused to
continue its participation in the Ligina.
"The club will be considered withdrawn by a force majeur. It
must start again in the seventh Ligina," he added.
Speaking about Ligina's sponsors, Agum expressed hope that
Bank Mandiri could be the title sponsors.
"I will meet Bank Mandiri officials tonight (Thursday night)
to discuss their cooperation. We hope it can extend its
commitment and be the sponsor for the next Ligina," he said.
PSSI offered to cooperate with Bank Mandiri last month. It
asked the bank for a Rp 10 billion (US$1.33 million) sponsorship
deal for one season. (ivy)