FIFA President Condolences For The Death Of Fans Fanatics Of The Indonesian National Team

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President (Instagram/@gianni_infantino).

JAKARTA - The President of the World Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, also expressed his condolences for the death of one of the loyal supporters of the Indonesian national team. The figure that made Gianni feel the loss was Katon, a eccentric man from Gunung Kidul.

Katon is known to have died on Sunday, February 25, 2024. The news of the death of Katon was shared by the Ngapak Football social media account.

In the upload, it was stated that Katon's health condition had decreased, but he had made an appointment to support the Garuda Squad again.

"My deepest condolences for the death of a fanatical supporter of the Indonesian national team, namely Mas Katon from Gunung Kidul/Temanggung."

"In March, I have made an appointment to watch the Indonesian vs Vietnam national team in SUGBK, but he is sick and called first by Allah SWT. Goodbye Mas Katon," wrote the Ngapak Football Instagram account.

This sad news seems to have reached Gianni Infantino's ears. The number one person in world football also feels the loss of the figure of the Katon. Gianni expressed his condolences through his personal Instagram.

In an upload shared Monday, February 26, 2024, early morning WIB, the Swiss-born man prayed for the departure of Katon. Gianni also briefly recalled his meeting at the 2023 U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.

"I am very sad to know that Katon died, a big fan of our beautiful game," Infantino said on social media.

"I had the honor of meeting him at the U-17 World Cup. He (Katon) always smiled and was very enthusiastic about football," recalled Gianni.

"I express my deepest condolences to my family, friends, and everyone in Indonesian football. Rest in peace," he said.

This feeling was revealed by Gianni not without reason. The President of FIFA apparently met directly with the figure of the Katon.

When they met in the second match of the U-17 vs Panama U-27 Indonesian national team at the 2023 U-17 World Cup at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, Katon even painted Gianni Infantino's face on his stomach with his face on a bicycle.

Previously, Katon was known as one of the fanatical fans of the Indonesian national team who had a eccentric style. In addition to painting Infantino's face, Katon also often comes to the stadium with facial paintings on his body.

In one of the matches, Katon painted his body with the face of the Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong.

At that time, Katon described Shin Tae-yong as a superman figure when the U-23 Indonesian national team appeared in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification match at Manahan Stadium, Solo, in September 2023.

Painting with the same theme was also exhibited when the Indonesian national team challenged Brunei Darussalam in the first round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualification at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta.

He also painted the face of the PSSI General Chair, Erick Thohir, while supporting the struggle of the Indonesian national team against Argentina on FIFA Matchday, June 2023, at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta.