TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) announced that it will lodge an official report over the physical brawl that broke out at the side of the field between Thailand and Indonesian officials and players in the final SEA Games match on May 16.

The complaint will be addressed to the International Football Association (FIFA).

“We have communicated with Erick Thohir [as the PSSI chairperson]. PSSI is currently collecting pieces of evidence of the incident that took place in the final match yesterday and will be reported to FIFA,” said NOC Chairperson Raja Sapto Oktohari in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on May 17.

He argues that the root cause of the incident must be revealed for the sake of clarity. “If Indonesia was in the wrong then we must accept the consequence. Likewise with Thailand. [They] have to accept that too,” he explained.

The final SEA Games football match between Indonesia and Thailand turned heated in the first half of the match but the Indonesian national team was able to lead with two goals until the half time. However, Thailand was able to equal the score with 2 -2 in the final seconds of the first half.

This made conditions heated up especially after the U-22 Indonesia national team scored the third goal in extra time through Irfan Jauhari. Incidents between players and officials of both teams occurred and took their toll. One of them was the Manager of the Indonesian U-22 national team, Sumardji, who suffered a cut lip.

The match continued even though a number of players including from Indonesia received red cards from the referee. As a result, the Indonesian team won gold after winning 5-2.

Indonesia finally won the gold medal after waiting for 32 years since the last Indonesian national team won gold at the 1991 Manila SEA Games. Many of the players are currently coaches, including Aji Santoso, Widodo C Putro, Kashartadi, Bambang Nurdiansyah to Robby Darwis.

ARKHELAUS WISNU TRIYOGO

Editor's Choice: Jokowi Congratulates Young Garuda for Victory at 2023 SEA Games

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News