Three clubs fined after failing to stop chaos

Three clubs fined after failing to stop chaos

JAKARTA (JP): The disciplinary commission of the Soccer
Association of Indonesia (PSSI) fined three clubs on Tuesday
which failed to stop chaos during their first round matches of
the Bank Mandiri soccer league.

Andi Darussalam Tabusala, the commission's chief, told
reporters that Persebaya of Surabaya, PSS Sleman of Yogyakarta
and Persita of Tangerang regency were each fined Rp 5 million
(US$526.3).

"Persebaya and PSS Sleman failed to stop their spectators from
throwing fireworks onto the field and lighting firecrackers
during matches which subsequently disturbed the players, while
Persita failed to stop spectators from pouring onto the field. As
a result, we have fined each of the clubs Rp 5 million," he said.

Darussalam said monetary fines were introduced in this year's
league to replace the old rule which obliged the punished team to
relocate their matches to a new venue recommended by the
commission.

"Many team managers criticized the old rule during the
manager's meeting early this month saying that relocating matches
was no longer an attractive proposition. So we've agreed to
change the punishment with a fine."

He also said the commission has recommended PSSI chairman Agum
Gumelar forbid supporters lighting firecrackers during matches at
28 host clubs.

"We have set an example with the fate of the two host teams
which failed to control their spectators. Hopefully, this kind of
disturbance won't happen again in other matches."

East Java's Arema Malang team manager Iwan Budianto was hit by
a firecracker that fell directly in front of him when he was
watching his team play host Persebaya in Gelora 10 Nopember
stadium.

Darussalam said Iwan had submitted a letter to the commission,
admitting that the incident was not on purpose despite tight
security and a majority of well-mannered spectators.

"However, burning firecrackers and throwing them onto the
field is forbidden," he said.

PSS Sleman failed to stop an unidentified boy who threw
firecrackers onto the field when it played Pelita Solo of Central
Java in its opening match on Jan. 14.

On a separate occasion Persita failed to stop spectators from
breaking onto the field when hosting PSMS Medan, North Sumatra,
last Thursday.

The commission also banned two referees and one linesman from
supervising the remaining matches in the league. Darussalam named
them as Suharto and linesman M. Syafei who oversaw the match
between Persita and PSMS last Thursday and Teguh Sutrisno who
supervised the match between Persita and PSP on Sunday.

Darussalam said that the commission also warned two foreign
players, Chilean Rodrigo Arraya from Jakarta FC (formerly
Persijatim of east Jakarta) and Ebanda Timothe of Cameron from
Persija for misconduct. Both players were involved in physical
clashes in the opening match at Lebak Bulus stadium, South
Jakarta, and were awarded yellow cards.

Slamet Riyadi and Aulia Siregar of PSMS were given a two-time
probation in three matches and were fined Rp 500,000 each after
striking Anthony Jonnah Ballah of Persita. Ballah was awarded a
red card and was fined Rp 750,000. (ivy)