Jakarta Casual

Bandung born, Beckham scored the only goal of the game early in the first half and that, as much as beating their bitterest foes and going top of the Super League was reason enough to celebrate. 

Sadly, Indonesia's El Classico ended in acrimony with a red card, unseemly scenes between players of both sides and accusations of racism and death threats. I say sadly,  perhaps these events are par for the course and are why this game is undoubtedly the fiercest in South East Asia 

Death threats and racist abuse though, are not, well, should not be part of football. Any football. Anywhere in the world. 

Friendless sausage-fingered fuckwits typing shit anonymously should not be allowed to control the narrative, hold football hostage to the sad, emptiness of their lives. 

Thom Haye (Persib) gave a heartfelt message, bemoaning the 'disrespectful behaviour' and 'unnecessary fouls' that mar the game, not just in Indonesia and he's right to call that out. Haye then went on to 'respectfully' ask people to stop sending death threats to his family. 

Fuck freedom of speech, I'm not going to give oxygen to the hateful messages sent to Allano (Persija). Instead, I will post his reply to the morons and let people decide who shows the most class. Cellar dweller keyboard warriors or a couple of foreign footballers?

These are not football issues alone. Yes, football can take a stand but what is the point of players standing behind an anti-racism banner or kneeling down before kick off when the morons who spout this shite know they are immune from any ramifications?

Back to the football pitch, Persib fans undoubtedly are going to work this week with a spring in their step having seen 'One of Their Own' score the goal that saw them go top of the league. As for Persija fans, they have been left bemoaning what they saw as a poor performance and perhaps crossing off any visits to Bandung's factory outlets in the foreseeable future!

UPDATE - Persib management have said they will do their best to track down people who sent Thom Haye those messages and have them arrested.

# posted by Me @ 6:29 PM