PSSI on Kanjuruhan Football Tragedy: 'Responsibility Lies on the Organizer'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairperson Mochamad Iriawan stated that the responsibility for the League 1 match between Arema FC vs. Persebaya Surabaya lies on the organizing committee as stipulated in the PSSI and FIFA regulations.

“All accountability must be carried out by the organizer. It cannot be linked to PSSI and others. There are existing rules,” said Iriawan when met by Tempo in Malang, Tuesday, October 4, 2022.

He then explained about the case of closed exits when people tried to escape the stadium in panic after the police fired tear gas as fans invaded the pitch. At least 131 people died and hundreds were injured.

He said the stadium doors must be opened 10 minutes before the end of the match. “If they were opened, there should be no problem,” said Iwan Bule as he familiarly called.

He was also informed that the doors were closed because the organizers felt that spectators were safe inside the stadium given no rival fans attending the game. “It’s negligence. Whatever the conditions, the stadium must be opened.”

Iriawan said the investigation process was still ongoing. Thus, he could not confirm the actual situation. “It was said that several doors were damaged, we cannot confirm it yet,” he said.

The PSSI chair further assessed that all parties must improve the system in the wake of the Kanjuruhan football stadium tragedy, including the security measures by the authority and organizers. “We hope this will recover soon. There will be a special team to evaluate this,” Iriawan concluded.

IRSYAN HASYIM | EKO WIDIANTO

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