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Mob killing prompts suspension of league
Hooliganism: People visit the grave of soccer fan Haringga Sirila in Indramayu, West Java, on Monday
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ooliganism: People visit the grave of soccer fan Haringga Sirila in Indramayu, West Java, on Monday. Haringga, a Persija supporter, was beaten to death by a rival group of fans before Sunday’s match between host Persib Bandung and Persija Jakarta. (Antara/Dedhez Anggara)
The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has decided to suspend all 2018 Go-Jek Liga 1 matches starting on Wednesday in the wake of the death of Persija Jakarta fan Haringga Sirila, 23.
It is not known how long the suspension will last, but the PSSI is set to finish an internal investigation into the incident within five days.
“This is a form of respect to the deceased and to give the PSSI time to come up with a solution that is agreeable to all parties,” said PSSI chairman Edy Rahmayadi during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo urged the Sports and Youth Ministry, the PSSI and supporters to work together to stop such a tragedy from happening again.
“[Haringga] was the 16th victim over the past eight months. It is too many. Violence needs to stop,” Jokowi said on his social media account.
Haringga was beaten to death near Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium in Bandung, West Java, before Persib Bandung’s 3-2 win over Persija on Sunday.
He was allegedly killed by bobotoh (Persibs fans).
The incident made headlines after a video of the beating went viral, sparking public outrage over the sheer brutality of the mob.
Jakmania (Persija fans) are long-time rivals of the Bobotoh, and they have been at each other’s throats for almost two decades. Their clashes have led to people being killed on both sides.
The rivalry between the two clubs’ fans started in the early 2000s and Haringga was the seventh person to lose his life since 2012.
Edy stressed the need to find the root of the problem before taking action, which, as per 2018 PSSI guidelines, can vary from a warning to disqualification.
The PSSI has recorded 95 soccer-related deaths in Indonesia since 2005, far higher than the 70 deaths since 1995 as recorded by NGO Save Our Soccer. The NGO, however, noted that at least 15 of the deaths have occurred since last year — a year after Edy became PSSI chairman.
Commentators blamed a lack of security and poor anticipation on behalf of the PSSI as the cause of these repeated deaths.
Edy denied the allegation, saying that the police increased the number of officers to 4,300 from 1,500 ahead of Sunday’s match in anticipation of violence.
“It happened outside the soccer stadium, we could not have anticipated that,” he said.
Edy added that the PSSI disciplinary team had begun an internal investigation and Persib could be sanctioned if its fans were found to be responsible.
The PSSI will also coordinate with the Asian Football Confederation, world body FIFA as well as the Youth and Sports Ministry to find a solution.
Harringa’s death also raised questions among the public as to why the match was not stopped but only delayed to 4 p.m. from an initial 3:50 p.m. kick-off.
In response, PSSI secretary-general Ratu Tisha blamed the match organizers who had the authority to postpone the match.
Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi urged the PSSI to temporarily suspend the league for two weeks to provide enough time for the investigation to come up with recommendations.
On Tuesday, the Bandung Police questioned match organizers and fan representatives, including the Viking Persib fan club.
As of Monday afternoon, they had arrested 16 people and named eight of them suspects.
PT Persib Bandung Bermartabat media officer Irfan Suryadiredja said the police had asked the match organizers to help identify people who were on the video.
“We were asked to be proactive [in studying the video] in the hope that we might identify the perpetrator[s],” said Irfan after being questioned by the police. Irfan was accompanied by Persib Bandung general coordinator Budhi Bram Rachman and Viking representative Yana Umar.
Despite selling out the 40,000-capacity stadium, Irfan said more than 50,000 Persib supporters had flocked to the stadium on Sunday.
On Tuesday morning, Persib players paid their respects to Haringga by praying at the spot where the incident took place. The visit was aired live on Persib’s official Instagram account.
“We really hope such things end […] Don’t let fanaticism blind you,” said Persib captain Supardi.
Meanwhile, Persija’s star veteran player Bambang Pamungkas said more had to be done to end the violence.
“I think fines are no longer an effective way to punish clubs. I’m suggesting that the PSSI should deduct points from clubs whose fans violate the rules. If supporters want their teams to prevail, then they have to behave as well,” Bambang wrote on his official website, bambangpamungkas20.com. “If my idea becomes a rule and mishaps still occur, then I think Indonesia doesn’t deserve to play soccer at all.”
On Sunday, Edy requested local governments to help educate fans.
“It is important to educate supporters to avoid clashes in the future,” said Edy at an inauguration ceremony of the North Sumatra chapter’s new chief and officers in Medan. (nor)
— Apriadi Gunawan contributed to this story from Medan.
