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Preventing stadium tragedy through policy improvement
The tragedy only mirrors the lack of seriousness of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the Indonesian Soccer League administrator in effectuating competition management under FIFA regulations regarding stadium’s safety and security.
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Making improvement: President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo stands at Gate 12 at the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java, following a stampede that killed at least 131 people in one of the deadliest disasters in the history of soccer, in this handout photo taken and released by the Presidential Palace on Oct. 5. (AFP/Presidential Palace)
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hoever enjoys the Scottish premier league will feel the atmosphere of intense tension in the derby match between Glasgow's big clubs, the Celtics and Rangers, known as the Old Firm Derby. The classic rivalry between the two big clubs involves the composition of the best players in Scotland, prestige matches in European soccer competitions and strategic battles.
Nevertheless, beyond that, it consists of intensified emotions based on political, social, religious and sectarian polarization.
The verve of fair and entertaining matches is often haunted by conditions such as fervent supporters discomfiting the stadium and ferocity between players. It is no surprise that the Scottish Parliament issued two legal policies: Police, Order and Criminal Justice (2006) and the Offensive Behavior in Football and Communication Threatening Act (2012), to tackle acts of violence, public harassment and antisocial behavior.
In addition, the earnest attempt of the Scottish Football Association (SFA) is not just to provide a safe and entertaining soccer league but also to ensure stadium management and match ticket quality and devise a stadium code of conduct such as FIFA standards.
In another tenor, three main lessons perchance were drawn from the existence of legal policies directing soccer competitions. First, public policy intervention is needed to engineer fans’ behavior in line with public order and law. Second, a legal instrument is needed to regulate the security force’s behavior under FIFA procedures. Finally, there is a serious attempt by the SFA to construct a quality, open and safe league for all, as well as ensure stadium infrastructure prioritizing the safety and comfort of spectators.
Reflecting on the soccer ecosystem in Scotland, the incident at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java after a classic match between two provincial soccer powers, namely Arema FC of Malang and Persebaya Surabaya, on Oct.1 manifested three fundamental things.
First, it is a human tragedy because over 130 spectators were killed in a stampede, which was triggered by tear gas shots at the stands and repressive actions from the police to control crowds ("Police once more in eye of storm", The Jakarta Post, Oct. 6, 2022). In addition, video footage and images circulating on social media show the military also committing violence against supporters during the chaos.
