Football Supporter Riots in Sukabumi Went Viral, the Police Intervene

SUKABUMI - The Nagrak Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Sukabumi Police conducted an investigation into the cause of riots between supporters at an inter-village football match in the Cisarua Village area, Nagrak District, Sukabumi Regency.

"From the results of the interim investigation, the football match between RW level football clubs in Cisarua Village was unlicensed, even during the tournament there was no notification to the security forces for the Police or TNI," said Nagrak Police Chief Iptu Teguh Putra Hidayat, quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, September 28.

According to Teguh, the riot between supporters was also videoed and uploaded and went viral on social media. The 30-second video shows a fist fight between supporters of the two competing teams.

The riot occurred last Wednesday at around 16.00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) at the Cibodas Football Field, Cisarua Village, but it is not yet known which team the supporters came from.

Because of this, the police are currently still investigating to uncover the riot by summoning the football tournament organizing committee and the Cisarua Village Head.

"Until now, we have not received any reports as to whether there were any victims, whether injured or dead, as a result of the riots. From the information from the committee, it turns out that the inter-village football match has been going on for several weeks, but there has never been a copy of the notification of the activity to us or TNI elements," he said anyway.

Teguh said that apart from not having permission, anticipating a repeat of riots between supporters, his party had stopped the inter-village football tournament. The public is also advised not to be easily provoked and to maintain security.