Spectators Entering The Field Are Not Allowed, It Has Been Regulated In PSSI Discipline Code

The reporter entered the field after the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya in Kanjuruhan Malang. (Photo via Antara/Ari Bowo Sucipto)

JAKARTA - National football is in mourning. More than 100 people died in the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, Saturday, October 1.

This tragedy even caught the attention of the world. A number of international media and world clubs also paid attention.

As previously reported, this tragedy occurred after the Arema FC match against Persebaya Surabaya which was held at 20.00 WIB.

Arema's match against Persebaya actually went very well for 90 minutes because only the home fans were allowed to attend to watch live. However, riots on the field occurred after the match, after Aremania (Supporter Arema) entered the field.

The East Java Regional Police Chief Inspector General Nico Afinta said that the process of running the match did not have any problems at all, but the disappointment of the supporters after that became the trigger.

"There was a disappointment from the audience who saw that their favorite team had never lost in 23 years when they played at home," said Afinta, as quoted by Antara.

Initially, the number of supporters estimated in the thousands took to the field. This then triggered the security forces to fire tear gas towards the stands of Arema supporters, and crowds of supporters in the stands were jostled to disperse out of the stadium and the crowd gathered.

The act of firing tear gas then became a public spotlight. The reason is that the use of tear gas has been banned by FIFA.

However, the actions of supporters who took to the field cannot be justified. Based on PSSI's 2018 disciplinary code, spectators are prohibited from entering the field.

Article 70 Paragraph 1 clearly reads, as follows:

Bad behavior by the audience is a violation of discipline. Audience misbehavior includes but is not limited to; violence against certain people or objects, use of objects that contain fire or can cause fires (fireworks, firecrackers, smoke bombs, flares, etc.), use of laser devices, throwing missiles, displaying slogans that insulting, religious/religious or related to certain political issues, in any form (specifically by putting up flags, banners, writings, attributes, choreos or the like during the match), using words or sounds that are insulting or harassing or enter the playing field without the permission of the match officials and the organizing committee.

The sanctions are clearly stated in the PSSI Disciplinary Code. Fines are given to the organizing committee or the club.

A fine of IDR 30 million for one person entering the playing field. Then a fine of IDR 50 million for two to five people who enter the playing field.

"The name is that the invasion of the field is not allowed. There is definitely a penalty," said national football observer Muhammad Rais Adnan.

Actually, the action of spectators entering the field is not the first time this has happened in Indonesia. Recently, a similar incident also occurred when Persebaya Surabaya met with RANS Nusantara FC on the 10th week.

The PSSI Disciplinary Committee sanctioned the management of Persebaya Surabaya with a fine of Rp. 100 million for violating Article 69 Paragraph 1 in conjunction with Article 70 Paragraph 1, Paragraph 4, and Attachment 1 Number 5 PSSI Disciplinary Code 2018.

Persebaya was also banned from holding five home matches with spectators.

"Playing without spectators at home is already a severe punishment," said Rais Adnan.

For the Kanjuruhan case, PSSI General Chair Mochammad Iriawan has banned Arema FC from holding home matches until the end of the 2022/2023 season. However, there has been no official decision from the PSSI Komdis.