JAKARTA – The Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) and FIFA have sparked online controversy after holding a football match at GBK Madya Stadium in Central Jakarta.
Photos posted on PSSI’s Twitter account yesterday showed PSSI chief Mochamad Iriawan playing football with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Twitter followers bombarded PSSI’s social media with comments: “FIFA and PSSI played fun football just 19 days after the Kanjuruhan tragedy.”
“High-fiving and laughing after the Kanjuruhan disaster killed 133 people. Very distasteful while people grieve,” another read.
The action also drew criticism from Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD, who reminded PSSI of its “moral responsibility”.
The tragedy report, prepared by a committee led by Mahfud and released last week, recommended that the PSSI head and all the federation’s executive committee members resign as a form of responsibility.
However, technically, the government cannot intervene in the association.
During the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya on October 1, the home team Arema lost for the first time in 23 years, provoking anger from supporters.
The situation turned tense, forcing security to fire tear gas, which caused thousands of supporters to rush out of the stadium through several gates, leading to a stampede. – Bernama, October 20, 2022
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