Police, FIFA Football Crowd Control Rules 'Not in Tune', Says Police Inspector

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police (Polri) on Thursday announced that it would pave way for a special type of crowd-handling measures specifically for football matches. This comes as a direct response to the Kanjuruhan tragedy where 131 people lost their lives in a mass stampede following a string of tear gas shots from police who intended to stop a pitch invasion.

This new standard operating procedure also comes after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo urged for an improvement overhaul of Indonesia’s football procedural security.

In a coordination meeting chaired by the Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali in Jakarta on October 6, Deputy Commander of the Brimob Police Corps Inspector General Setyo Boedi Moemuni Harso said that the National Police had coordinated with PSSI upon creating regulations that will become a guide for the Police in guarding football matches in stadiums.

"Since this incident occurred, the National Police have had instructions from the National Police Chief to make a product that is the material for regulation or a basis for security issues. Of course, the implementation of this product is related to the products issued by FIFA and PSSI," said Setyo in Jakarta, Antaranews reported.

Setyo stated that the National Police actually already have a security procedure that conflicts with the regulations of the world football federation FIFA or even the national football federation PSSI.

"There is already an SOP, but it is not yet in line with the relevant regulations (FIFA). This must be harmonized because there is a standard operating procedure regarding demonstrations and outside the stadium that need special handling," said General Setyo Boedi.

ANTARA

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