Nyali Makin Ciut, Bahrain Terus Usaha Bujuk FIFA Dan AFC Move Venue Lawan Timnas Indonesia

JAKARTA - The Bahrain Football Federation (BFA) through the Secretary-General (Secretary General), Rashid Al-ZAabi, still shows fear of traveling to the headquarters of the Indonesian national team.

Bahrain will visit the Indonesian national team in the Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualification on March 25, 2025.

However, Bahrain is still trying to persuade FIFA and AFC so that the match can be held in a neutral place.

The fear arose after the Bahrain national team players received threats on social media from Indonesian supporters after the match between Bahrain vs Indonesia which ended 2-2 on October 10, 2024.

Rashid said BFA would provide evidence to FIFA and AFC regarding the threats obtained by Bahrain national team players from Indonesian supporters.

Rashid hopes that this evidence can make BFA convince FIFA and AFC to move the Indonesia vs Bahrain match out of Indonesia.

"The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) will soon submit an official letter to AFC and FIFA to clarify all the circumstances that occurred to associations, players, as soon as the match, accompanied by evidence."

"We were subjected to brutal attacks by Indonesian fans who reached the death threat level, in addition to cyber campaigns on association websites, social media accounts, and association correspondence systems."

"They were targeted by a series of obscene words, harassment, insults, and death threats. The main priority of BFA is to maintain the safety of all members of the Bahrain team," said Rashid as quoted by An Nahar, Friday, October 18, 2024.

A cyber attack that made BFA so worried it emerged after the end of the controversial match between Bahrain vs Indonesia and Riffa.

Garuda Squad supporters became furious after the unfairly accused match. The victory of Shin Tae-yong's troops, which was thwarted by referee Ahmed Al Kaf's controversial decision.

The referee from Oman actually decided with the fourth official referee to give six minutes in injury time for the second half.

However, when the time was past six minutes, Ahmed Al Kaf never blew the long whistle. In the aftermath, Bahrain was able to score a 2-2 equalizer goal in the 90+9 minute.

The Indonesian national team's very upset supporters attacked a number of official social media belonging to BFA, the Bahrain national team, Bahrain players, AFC, and referee Ahmed Al Kaf. The hashtag #AFCMafia was also busy.

Meanwhile, PSSI ensured that the safety of the Bahrain national team players and officials would be maintained when playing away matches in Indonesia.

"We will write a letter to the AFC stating that the match is fair, so stay in Jakarta because previously the match was in Bahrain."

"Secondly, we will also inform that we will guarantee the safety and comfort of our guests as in Bahrain," said PSSI Executive Committee Member Arya Sinulingga, in an official statement.

"About social media, yes, the name, sometimes Indonesian netizens are busy. However, they are actually friendly and kind."

"Moreover, we have proven that we have hosted the U-17 World Cup and are well organized," said Arya again.

Before the Secretary General of BFA opened its voice, the Bahrain federation had issued an official statement via its official Instagram. They strongly condemn the behavior of Indonesian national team supporters.

The upload did not escape the attack of Indonesian netizens who further accused Bahrain of being only good at home and AFC's golden children.

For information, Indonesian supporters assess that Bahrain has special treatment from the AFC considering that the President of the Asian Football Confederation is occupied by Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa who is a member of the Bahrain Kingdom.

In addition, the Oman Football Federation (OFA), has three bills. They condemned the cyberattack on referee Ahmed Al Kaf.