Ahead Of Japan's Opponents, The Indonesian National Team Was Sanctioned By FIFA And Had To Pay A Fine Of Hundreds Of Millions

The manager of the Indonesian national team, Sumardji (right), has been sanctioned by FIFA (VOI/Ferry Tri Adi Sasono).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team was sanctioned by FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Qualification Third Round match against Japan. Not just one, the Garuda Squad was required to be subject to three sanctions from several previous matches and had to pay fines of up to hundreds of millions of rupiah.

FIFA imposed sanctions and fines for matches taking place in the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Based on the FIFA Disciplinary Committee hearing, sanctions were given because players and team officials violated disciplinary rules.

Indonesia was sentenced to three sanctions and one warning for being late in holding the match according to the kick-off schedule. The first detail is against China, which is the kick-off schedule for being pushed back because the squad was late in entering the field.

Therefore, FIFA then sent a fine of 10,000 Swiss Franc or equivalent to Rp. 179.3 million. In addition, FIFA imposed sanctions on the Indonesian National Team Manager, Sumardji, and the assistant coach of the Indonesian national team, Kim Jong-jin, for protesting excessively after the match between Bahrain vs Indonesia.

Sumardji was prohibited from accompanying the Indonesian national team for one match. In addition, Sumardji was also fined 5,000 Swiss Franc or IDR 89.5 million.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-jin was sentenced to accompany the Indonesian national team for four matches. He was also fined 5,000 Swiss Franc or IDR 89.5 million.

Of the total violations filed by FIFA, the Indonesian national team had to pay a fine of up to Rp358.3 million.

Sumardji and Kim Jong-jin were sanctioned for protesting strongly against the referee in the Bahrain vs Indonesia match which took place at the Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, October 10, 2024.

The match did run controversially because the Bahrain equalizer goal was in the 90+9 minute. In fact, the official time for injury time is six minutes.

These results made the players and staff of the Indonesian national team inflamed. The Garuda squad had protested to the match equipment.

As a result, Sumardji and Kim Jong-jin were sentenced to be banned from accompanying players and fines by FIFA.