Members Of The Referee Committee Respond To Controversy Decisions In Persiraja Vs PSMS Match

Persiraja Banda Aceh faced a controversial decision by the referee against PSMS in Liga 2 (Instagram/@persiraja_official).

JAKARTA - A member of the PSSI Referee Committee, Purwanto, responded to the controversial decision that appeared in the 2023/2024 Liga 2 match between Persiraja Banda Aceh vs PSMS Medan. According to him, the goal that occurred at that time was legal.

"After we saw the Persiraja and PSMS matches, it was not offside," he said when met by the Gatot Subroto area, Monday, November 20, 2023.

Purwanto made this statement based on the statement of the assistant referee on duty. The referee admitted that he made a mistake. You see, when he received the ball and scored the Persiraja player's goal, he was not in an offside position.

"We have seen videos and match reports that go to the PSSI Referee Committee. So, when it was played it was not in an offside position and when it received or scored a goal it was not offside," he continued.

Previously, the Persiraja vs goal controversy against PSMS occurred when the match was held at the Harapan Bangsa Stadium, Banda Aceh, on Saturday, November 18, 2023.

In that match, the referee ruled out the goal of foreign player Laskar Rencong, Mahamane Toure. In fact, according to the captain, the moment was clearly not offside because there was still one PSMS Medan player.

However, in fact the goal was disallowed by the assistant referee because it was considered offside occurred in the 51st minute. At that time, Rizki Setiawan grabbed the ball and then was put to good use by a striker from Mali, Mahamane Toure. Unfortunately, the referee considered Toure to be in an offside position.

Regarding the wrong referee's decision, Purwanto explained that there would be follow-up to be taken. One of them is coaching and the highest level is to rest them from their duties.

There are (actions), enter evaluation, enter coaching first. If coaching has been carried out, they will be assigned back. They also need input on their leadership in the field," explained Purwanto.