Malang Kanjuruhan Tragedy: Arema Vs Persebaya Match Tickets Sold Are Not In Accordance With Police's Instruction

PSSI Disciplinary Committee visited the Kanjuruhan Stadium after the tragedy to see the situation firsthand. (Photo via ANTARA PHOTO/Prasetia Fauzani)

JAKARTA - PSSI Referee Committee Chairman Ahmad Riyadh revealed that the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, occurred because of several suspected factors. One of the factors suspected to be a factor in this incident is the number of spectators who attended the Arema FC match against Persebaya Surabaya on October 1st.

The number of spectators exceeded the capacity that had been suggested by the police. Riyadh confirmed that the police had requested that 75 percent of the stadium's capacity be used.

"Regarding the stadium, the capacity was 45 thousand in the verification, but 42 thousand were printed. The police did issue an appeal for 75 percent, but at the time of the appeal the tickets were already sold out so security was added," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PSSI Disciplinary Committee, Erwing Tobing, said the number of spectators present at the Kanjuruhan Stadium was not clear. The reason is that the audience stands in Kanjuruhan are not single seats yet.

"So it is not measurable. This is what makes some say 40 thousand or 45 thousand people there," he said.

For this tragedy, the PSSI Komdis has imposed sanctions on Arema FC as the host. The penalty prohibits Arema from holding matches at home until the 2022/2023 Liga 1 season is over.

Arema must be in another place that must be at least 250 kilometers from Malang. In addition, the management of Arema FC was also sentenced to a fine of IDR 250 million.

The punishment was also received by the Chair of the Committee Abdul Haris and Security Officer Suko Sutrisno. Both were considered negligent in carrying out their duties so they were banned from playing in national football for life.