PSSI to Report Malaysia to AFC, FIFA over Assault

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) deputy head Cucu Sumantri said his side was set to file a report on the attack against Indonesian supporters at Bukit Jalil Stadium to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

The attack reportedly occurred after the match of the 2020 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers between Indonesia and Malaysia at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday, Nov. 19. 

The former commander of the Bukit Barisan Military Command hoped AFC and FIFA would impose sanctions on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). “Yes, we file a protest,” said Cucu in a phone call with Tempo, Friday, November 22.

The Indonesian Youth and Sports Ministry earlier planned to send a criticism letter to its Malaysian counterpart following the attack. The ministry’s secretary, Gatot S. Dewabroto, through a written statement on Friday, November 22, said it would be delivered today.

Gatot lamented the slow response of the Malaysian government in handling the incident at Bukit Jalil Stadium. He added when a similar clash occurred in the previous match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, on Thursday, September 5, then Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi immediately offered an apology to his counterpart, Syed Saddiq, only a day after.

“In response, the Malaysian Minister accepted Indonesia’s apology,” said Gatot, recalling that Syed Saddiq pledged to guard Indonesian supporters watching the match on November 19. “The [promise] is not fulfilled,” he said.

IRSYAN HASYIM