Letter: The fatal match

On Sunday, May 27 after a match between two big soccer teams in Indonesia, Persija Jakarta and Persib Bandung, three people died because of a clash between supporters of these two teams.

Jakmania and the Vikings first clashed in 2000 in Jakarta when Jakmania attacked the Vikings after a match.

Another clash happened when these supporters participated in the Siapa Berani quiz show on Indosiar. The Vikings won the game and Jakmania felt unhappy about that.

The Vikings were blockaded and attacked on the way home by the Jakmania.

The most-recent incident has broken up the role of the soccer as a unifier of the nation. Is this the face of Indonesian soccer?

When Indonesian soccer can be success in international competition, why do many problems like this still exist?

Muchlisin
Jakarta