IPW Urges Police to Complete Investigation on Gambling Sponsors for Liga 1

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) urged the National Police’s Crime Directorate (Bareskrim) to complete the investigation into the sponsorship of online gambling firms for the Indonesian Football League 1 or Liga 1.

“The police should be professional by summoning all parties involved, including the management of Persikabo football club, PSIS Semarang football club, Arema FC, the Managing Director of PT LIB (Indonesian football league operator), and the chairman of PSSI (Indonesian football association),” IPW Coordinator Sugeng Teguh Santoso said in a press release on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Sugeng outlined the alleged crimes committed by Persikabo 1973, PSIS Semarang, and Arema FC. Persikabo 1973 was sponsored by SBOTOP gambling firm which could be seen on the front of the club’s jersey and on the sideline advertising board. “This could be clearly seen at every match at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor when the hosts entertained their opponents and were broadcast by television stations,” he said.

Meanwhile, PSIS worked with Skore88.news, which is affiliated with the Skore88 gambling house. Arema Malang was also known to work with Bola88.fun, affiliated with the Bola88 gambling house.

PSIS Semarang and Arema FC stopped working with the gambling houses a few days later. Yet, Persikabo 1973 continued to promote the online gambling house until Save Our Soccer (SOS) Coordinator Akmal Marhali filed a report on July 13, 2023.

Akmal Marhali reported Persikabo 1973 CEO Bimo Warja Soekarta and PT LIB Managing Director Ferry Paulus to the police for having gambling companies as its sponsors. Bareskrim Polri is currently investigating the report Number: LP/B/0192/VII/2023/SPKT/Bareskrim Polri dated 13 July 2023.

Bareskrim also took over a police report about a gambling house that sponsored Indonesian football a year ago. At that time, a football fan and academician Rio Johan Putra reported three clubs namely Persikabo 1973, PSIS Semarang, and Arema FC, as well as the Managing Director of PT LIB and the General Chair of PSSI over online gambling sponsorship in Liga 1.

The report had no significant developments as Bareskrim did not summon the parties involved. However, on July 7, 2023, Bareskrim issued the investigation warrant. Therefore, IPW called for a thorough investigation.

MAGANG KJI

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