Thursday, August 05, 2010
They think it's all over
Kediri, East Java. The fate of three Indonesian Super League clubs was left hanging in the balance after police officials refused to issue a match permit for a crucial league game in Kediri, East Java.
Persik Kediri was set to host Persebaya Surabaya today at Brawijaya Stadium in the two teams’ last Super League game. The result of the match would determine the fate of Persik, Persebaya and Pelita Jaya, which are battling to avoid relegation.
On Wednesday, Kediri Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hasudungan Ritonga was quoted by state-run news agency Antara as saying that he had refused to issue a match permit because of the possibility of riots incited by Bonek, Persebaya fans who have gained a reputation for violence.
“We saw several Arema Malang fans who just came from the Indonesian Cup final in Solo, and they were throwing stones at passersby and houses along the railway tracks in Kediri,” Hasudungan said.
“Several people were hurt, and some houses were damaged. That match didn’t even involve Persik, so you can imagine what would happen if the Bonek came here for a match.
“We’ve spoken to representatives of other Persebaya fan clubs, but they couldn’t guarantee that the Bonek would not come to our city,” the officer said.
Liga Indonesia (PTLI), the league administrator, said rescheduling the match was “unlikely” because a relegation playoff had already been scheduled for Aug. 8 in Semarang.
“We’ll wait until tonight to see whether the match can be played or not. Until that time, we will not decide on the matter,” said the administrator’s secretary, Tigorshalom Boboy.
“If Persik fails to hold the match, we’ll send an official report to the disciplinary committee, and the decision will be in the committee’s hand.”
The Persik-Persebaya match was supposed to have been played on April 29, but was delayed after Kediri Police denied the organizers’ request for a match permit, citing a fear of fan violence.
Persebaya was then awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory by the league’s disciplinary committee, but Persik successfully appealed that decision, forcing the league administrator to reschedule the match for today.
Persebaya and Persik are in 16th and 17th place in the league, respectively. Both teams have 36 points, three behind Pelita, which sits in 15th.
If the match in Kediri does not take place and is not rescheduled, the league administrator could award Persebaya a 3-0 forfeit win, which would move the East Java club into 15th place and send it to a relegation playoff with Premier Division side Persiram Raja Ampat.
Pelita and Persik would finish in 16th and 17th places, respectively, automatically sending them down to the second division.
Tigorshalom brushed aside suggestions that the match would be postponed.
“We can’t afford another postponement,” he said. “We’ll ask the disciplinary committee to hold a meeting as soon as possible and make a decision because it’s an emergency case.”
Despite no assurances that the match would be held, Persebaya arrived in Kediri on Wednesday afternoon eager to play.
“We know the police didn’t issue a match permit,” Persebaya chairman Cholid Goromah said.
“However, we have yet to receive any official notification from PTLI, so we decided to come and see what happens.”
A Persik official said the team had done all that it could and the fates of the teams were now in the hands of the league administrator and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).
“There’s nothing more we can do. We’ve done everything possible to push through with the game,” Persik secretary Banardi said.
“We can’t move the match to a different venue because we don’t have enough time to do that. We are leaving the decision to PTLI and PSSI.”
Persik Kediri was set to host Persebaya Surabaya today at Brawijaya Stadium in the two teams’ last Super League game. The result of the match would determine the fate of Persik, Persebaya and Pelita Jaya, which are battling to avoid relegation.
On Wednesday, Kediri Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hasudungan Ritonga was quoted by state-run news agency Antara as saying that he had refused to issue a match permit because of the possibility of riots incited by Bonek, Persebaya fans who have gained a reputation for violence.
“We saw several Arema Malang fans who just came from the Indonesian Cup final in Solo, and they were throwing stones at passersby and houses along the railway tracks in Kediri,” Hasudungan said.
“Several people were hurt, and some houses were damaged. That match didn’t even involve Persik, so you can imagine what would happen if the Bonek came here for a match.
“We’ve spoken to representatives of other Persebaya fan clubs, but they couldn’t guarantee that the Bonek would not come to our city,” the officer said.
Liga Indonesia (PTLI), the league administrator, said rescheduling the match was “unlikely” because a relegation playoff had already been scheduled for Aug. 8 in Semarang.
“We’ll wait until tonight to see whether the match can be played or not. Until that time, we will not decide on the matter,” said the administrator’s secretary, Tigorshalom Boboy.
“If Persik fails to hold the match, we’ll send an official report to the disciplinary committee, and the decision will be in the committee’s hand.”
The Persik-Persebaya match was supposed to have been played on April 29, but was delayed after Kediri Police denied the organizers’ request for a match permit, citing a fear of fan violence.
Persebaya was then awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory by the league’s disciplinary committee, but Persik successfully appealed that decision, forcing the league administrator to reschedule the match for today.
Persebaya and Persik are in 16th and 17th place in the league, respectively. Both teams have 36 points, three behind Pelita, which sits in 15th.
If the match in Kediri does not take place and is not rescheduled, the league administrator could award Persebaya a 3-0 forfeit win, which would move the East Java club into 15th place and send it to a relegation playoff with Premier Division side Persiram Raja Ampat.
Pelita and Persik would finish in 16th and 17th places, respectively, automatically sending them down to the second division.
Tigorshalom brushed aside suggestions that the match would be postponed.
“We can’t afford another postponement,” he said. “We’ll ask the disciplinary committee to hold a meeting as soon as possible and make a decision because it’s an emergency case.”
Despite no assurances that the match would be held, Persebaya arrived in Kediri on Wednesday afternoon eager to play.
“We know the police didn’t issue a match permit,” Persebaya chairman Cholid Goromah said.
“However, we have yet to receive any official notification from PTLI, so we decided to come and see what happens.”
A Persik official said the team had done all that it could and the fates of the teams were now in the hands of the league administrator and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).
“There’s nothing more we can do. We’ve done everything possible to push through with the game,” Persik secretary Banardi said.
“We can’t move the match to a different venue because we don’t have enough time to do that. We are leaving the decision to PTLI and PSSI.”
COMMENT - umm, play in an emoty stadium?
# posted by Me @ 5:53 AM 
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Yup, I guess it's better if the match is played in empty stadium, and nobody, including media, is allowed to watch the game. Then, PSSI/PTLI or whoever can tell final result. Sounds good.
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