Tensions flared between supporters of regional soccer rivals Indonesia and Malaysia after the two teams butted heads for the World Cup 2022 Qualifiers in Jakarta last night, with the post-match spotlight sadly being pointed at some misbehaving Indonesian supporters.
Indonesia lost 2-3 to Malaysia at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in Jakarta last night, a result that leaves the hosts at the bottom of the qualifying group with one game played. But the main talking point from the game occurred off the pitch, after a number of Indonesian supporters attempted to attack at least 400 Malaysian supporters in attendance, among them the country’s Youth and Sports Minister, Syed Saddiq.
Goal Indonesia reported that the Indonesian supporters at the south end of the stadium put up banners that were insulting towards the Malaysian team. They also chanted and sang insults mocking their rivals throughout the match.
In a tweet, Syed Saddiq said bottles, flares, and other flying objects were seen launched into Malaysian supporters’ section.
Sebentar tadi saya bersama penyokong2 Harimau Malaya menyaksikan Kelayakan Piala Dunia di Stadium Gelora Bung Karno. Objek besi,botol & suar dicampak kpd kami beberapa kali. pic.twitter.com/BxKscJvXsq
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) September 5, 2019
At the 72nd minute of the match, several Indonesian supporters ran onto the field and towards the direction of the away fans, which resulted in Indonesian players pleading for their fans to calm down. Syed Saddiq wrote that Indonesian fans tried to “charge the Malaysian area, and the match had to be stopped temporarily”.
Video tawuran yang terjadi di Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno pada pertandingan Indonesia melawan Malaysia, direkam oleh reporter Tirto. #TimnasDay #Yeayy pic.twitter.com/suFpv3YUVG
— tirto.id (@TirtoID) September 5, 2019
Soon after Malaysia managed to score the winning goal at seventh minute of the additional time, chaos ensued. Malaysian supporters, as well as Syed Saddiq, had to be evacuated to an undisclosed area of the stadium. According to Tirto, Indonesian supporters from the west and south sections gathered outside the stadium’s exit to prevent the away fans from leaving.
Police, who are launching an inquiry into the incident, said riot police were deployed to secure a safe exit for the Malaysian supporters, but several Indonesian supporters threw rocks and plastic bottles at the officers. After several warnings, tear gas was launched to disperse the crowds that remained.
One Malaysian supporter was confirmed to have been injured during the match, while the others were only able to leave the stadium after midnight.
Following the chaos, Syed Saddiq tweeted last night that the Football Association of Malaysia will be filing a formal complaint with FIFA, in addition to his own personal formal complaint with the Indonesian government.
Saya dimaklumkan FAM bahawa mereka akan membuat aduan rasmi kepada FIFA. Saya juga akan membuat laporan rasmi kepada kerajaan Indonesia dan rakan sejawatan saya di sana.
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) September 5, 2019
“This is sad, considering that the soccer industry was supposed to be a medium of unity. I promise I will demand justice for Malaysians,” he tweeted.
Earlier today, Indonesia’s Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi met with his counterpart to personally apologize on behalf of the home supporters. He also said he would write an apology letter to the Malaysian government.
With additional reporting by our sister site Coconuts KL.
Reader Interactions