AFC Slaps US$60,000 Fine on PSSI for Flares: Official

Indonesian spectators lit flares during first leg of final match Suzuki Cup 2016 at Pakansari Stadium.

 
Jakarta, 19 Jumadil Akhir 1438/18 March 2017 (MINA) – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has fined the All Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) US$60 thousand or around Rp780 million for the flares lit by the soccer teams supporters during the President Cup final.

Hanif Thamrin, PSSI’s director for international relations and media affairs, told ANTARA here, Friday, that as the fine imposed by the AFC was huge, PSSI would have to pay it in installments within two years.

“Actually, the AFC asked (PSSI) to pay the fine within three months. As the fine is a lot of money, we begged that the fine be settled over two years, with payment being made every four months,” he disclosed.

Apart from the fine, PSSI also got a stern warning from the AFC regarding the flares lit during the match.

If PSSI repeats the same mistake, AFC will increase the amount of fine and punish the Indonesian national team by making them play a match without spectators, Hanif added.

“The fine may reach US$120 thousand. In addition, the AFC has also warned PSSI that Indonesia have pending punishment for their earlier mistakes, having received FIFA sanctions before. Thus, further punishment in any form will aggravate Indonesias situation,” Hanif explained.

The semifinal and final matches of the President Cup II, 2017, were held, Saturday (March 11) and Sunday (March 12).

Antara observed that some spectators lit flares after the game.

At the President Cup 2017 final, the Arema FC soccer team of Malang emerged as the champion after crushing the Pusamania Borneo FC 5-1 in the final at Cibinong Pakasari Stadium, Bogor, West Java, Sunday (March 12). (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)