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"The club will be considered withdrawn by a force majeur.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)