The jokes would surely fall flat without their context: The statement was made by Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman Edy Rahmayadi during an interview on Kompas TV on Monday related to the recent death of a Persija Jakarta soccer fan at the hands of rival supporters.

With the PSSI in the spotlight for another incident caused by deadly rivalries between soccer fans, Edy landed himself on a hotbed of controversy surrounding his leadership of the association following his remarks.

The public and the media turned to the PSSI after Harringga Sirila, 23, a Jakmania (as Persija fans call themselves), was allegedly beaten to death on Sunday afternoon by Persib Bandung fans, known as Bobotoh. 

In Monday’s live interview, Edy, who was inaugurated as North Sumatra governor earlier this month, was asked whether he felt burdened juggling his duties as a governor and PSSI chairman.

"What business is it of yours to ask such a question?" Edy replied. “You don’t have the right to ask me [that]! I have the right not to answer your question.”

Edy was asked a similar question by reporters following his inauguration ceremony at the State Palace on Sept. 5, to which he replied that his position as governor would not disrupt his duties as PSSI chairman.

Although Edy claimed the PSSI had done a lot to end the violence surrounding the sport and vowed that Harringga’s death would be the last, his recent outburst raised doubts over his capabilities as PSSI leader.

The interview, however, was not the first spot of controversy Edy has found himself in as PSSI chairman, a position that he has held since 2016, when he served as commander of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad).

Over the weekend, a video went viral on social media showing Edy slapping a supporter in the face after the latter attempted to fire a flare during a soccer match between PSMS Medan and Persela Lamongan in Medan’s Teladan Stadium, North Sumatra.

On Tuesday, Edy initiated a press conference to explain himself, insisting that he did not slap the supporter, but warned him not to use flares during a soccer match, as international soccer body FIFA had banned the firing of flares citing safety reasons.

Edy said FIFA would impose sanctions on soccer clubs whose supporters were caught firing flares, adding that the PSMS had had to pay fines ranging from Rp 60 million (US$4,020.81) to Rp 80 billion for the matter.

“I want to prevent [another fine] and that’s why I approached the supporters, I did not slap anyone,” he said.

He also clarified his refusal to answer the question by Kompas TV’s anchor, saying he had been overworked and feeling dizzy at the time. Edy also said that he did not mean to distance himself from the media.

“I need reporters to turn North Sumatra into a more dignified [province],” he said.

Members of the public have also called on Edy to step down from his PSSI chairmanship, encouraging him to focus on his tasks as governor. 

As of Tuesday evening, more than 59,000 people have signed an online petition titled “Edy Must Resign as PSSI Chairman” on change.org, which was initiated by anticorruption activist Emerson Yuntho from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW).

The recent killing of Harringa is the 70th death related to soccer violence since 1995, according to NGO Save Our Soccer.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed his condolences over Harringga’s death, saying that the cycle of violence must end and stakeholders, including the PSSI, the Youth and Sports Ministry and soccer fan clubs, must sit together to find a solution.

“Don’t let fanaticism go too far and result in crimes. There must be an end to this, because sports [should] uphold sportsmanship,” he said.

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