Soccer hooliganism in a time of crisis

Almost every time a soccer match is held, riots break out as a result of the behavior of supporters. This has reached such a degree that soccer is often seen as a "dangerous" sport. At the same time, however, it is also the most popular.

We know how difficult it was for Agum Gumelar, the Indonesian Soccer Association's chairman, to obtain a permit from the authorities to stage the Big 10 competition in Jakarta because the officials were afraid that unrest would ensue.

Such apprehension is understandable. We are, at present, being engulfed in wave upon wave of violence. Watchfulness is called for. We cannot allow a quarrel between supporters to escalate into unrest on a much wider scale. For this reason we must be grateful to the authorities for having been firm on unruly supporters, and to all supporters who behaved appropriately during matches.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta