PSM Makassar Disappointed With Referee's Decision In The Match Against Persik

Persik vs PSM match is full of controversy (Instagram/@persikfofficial).

JAKARTA - The 23rd week of Liga 1 2023/2024 which brought together Persik Kediri vs PSM Makassar ended in controversy. The match at Brawijaya Stadium on Monday, December 18, 2023, ended in a 1-1 series.

However, Yuran Fernandes' goal in the 86th minute sparked a wave of protests. Initially, referee Yudi Nurcahya disallowed the goal because he thought that Dicky Yusron's header had not crossed the goal line.

However, after discussing with the referee's assistant, Yudi changed the decision and ratified the goal. Suddenly, the decision was protested by Persik players until supporters were ignited by throwing objects onto the field.

Yudi and the assistant referee immediately rushed to the dressing room to see the unfavorable situation. The match stopped without clarity.

After more than an hour, the field players just returned to the field and decided to continue the match.

At the remaining time, Kelly Sroyer scored the equalizer goal in the 90+3 minute. The 1-1 score finally lasted until the game was over.

Even though the match was over, the controversy did not stop. PSM was disappointed with the referee's decision to continue the match.

The problem is, during a press conference, the team informed that head coach Bernardo Tavares and Yuran Fernandes had left for the airport when the match continued. This means that they are no longer at the bench after the stop of the match without clarity.

Juku Eja considered it true because they referred to the regulations.

"Obviously we are very disappointed about the regulations because according to the rules it is 2 x 30 minutes of dismissal (delayment), after that the match is stopped. Our coach has gone home because he is chasing plane tickets."

"After the coach found out that there was no (continue) match, the coach immediately went home. When the last minute (the match was continued), the coach had arrived at the airport."

"The match continued with three minutes remaining and an additional six minutes. Basically we are very disappointed. We ask for the firmness of the referee and this is for the advancement of Indonesian football," said Ahmad Amiruddin, assistant coach of Bernardo Tavares.

For three money, PSM players were also disappointed with the referee's leadership, which finally made Juku Eja fail to maintain the advantage.

"We are very disappointed as players, as explained by the coach (Ahmad Amiruddin) we have regulations, 2 x 30 minutes and it has been more than an hour. However, the decision was to continue the game."

"We as players are confused, what kind of regulations we have to follow. We are clearly very disappointed with today's decision," said Akbar Tanjung.