PSSI Forms Investigation Team To Investigate Referee Beating Case At PON 2024

Aceh vs Central Sulawesi match at PON 2024 which ended in chaos (doc. PB PON).

PSSI strongly condemns the controversy in the 2024 PON match involving the Aceh contingent against Central Sulawesi in the quarter-finals, Saturday, September 14, 2024.

The incident began with the leadership of referee Eko Agus Sugih Harto, who was accused of being controversial. The referee's controversial action was responded to by Central Sulawesi player with an disgraceful act, which was to punch the referee to the ground and be rushed by ambulance.

PSSI strongly condemned this incident. PSSI emphasized that the heaviest sanctions threatened the players and referees involved in the incident.

"Embarrassing. It is very embarrassing. PSSI will thoroughly investigate this incident and will impose the heaviest sanction!" said Erick Thohir, PSSI General Chair.

The chairman of PSSI further said that his party would conduct an in-depth investigation starting from the leadership of the referee who was considered full of irregularities.

In addition, the highly unsportsmanlike reaction of players is also confirmed to result in the heaviest sanctions.

"Certainly an in-depth investigation will be carried out. The indications of an unfair match become serious material that is being studied. The same is true with the player's reaction which is certain to result in very severe sanctions," said Erick.

Sanctions for a lifetime ban also threaten the referee and other parties if they are proven to regulate the outcome of the match.

However, Erick Thohir also emphasized that there was no justification for players to take action against.

"This is a criminal act that has legal consequences. Scandal about the referee's decision is another thing that also has legal consequences if it turns out that it is indicated that it is regulated by certain individuals," said Erick.

PSSI assessed that this incident tarnished the honor of Indonesian football which began to show a bright spot. For the sake of dignity and not to prevent similar incidents from happening again, Erick guarantees that the punishment given will be one of the harshest punishments.

"There is no tolerance for those who have deliberately violated fair play commitments. Sanctions are not just punishment, but also statements from Indonesian football that do not tolerate any practice outside of fair play," said the PSSI chairman again.