The Asian Football Confederation is considering punishing Indonesia after the attack on Al-Shamrani
Persib Bandung and the Indonesian Football Association face the prospect of severe disciplinary action from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) following the unfortunate events that marred the team's match against Thailand's Ratchaburi in the second leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16. The match observer, Australian Adam Mark, documented in his official report the security lapse that led to fans invading the pitch and assaulting the refereeing team.
Details of the match observer's report and the assault on the Saudi crew
Sources confirmed that the report submitted by the Australian observer included a detailed account of the terrifying moments experienced by the Saudi international refereeing team, led by Majed Al-Shamrani. The report documented the security lapses that allowed the crowd to surge onto the pitch, endangering the safety of the referee, his assistants Omar Al-Jamal and Hisham Al-Rifai, as well as the VAR referee, Sultan Al-Harbi, and necessitating immediate intervention to protect them.
Disciplinary regulations and organizational responsibility
Based on the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) disciplinary and ethical regulations, the host club and the local federation bear full responsibility for the conduct of their fans and for ensuring the safety and security of all participants in the match, including players, referees, and officials. The AFC is expected to issue strict penalties in the coming days, which could range from hefty fines and bans on spectators to matches played behind closed doors, and potentially even the relocation of Indonesian clubs' home games to neutral venues, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents that tarnish the reputation of Asian football.
Historical context and challenges of Indonesian football
These events have reopened the debate surrounding stadium security in Indonesia, a matter closely monitored by both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), especially after previous tragedies in Indonesian stadiums that claimed the lives of hundreds of fans in past years. This incident places the Indonesian Football Association in a precarious position, particularly given its ongoing efforts to improve its organizational image and host major international tournaments. The recurrence of such incidents hinders development efforts and could lead to temporary football isolation or stricter restrictions imposed by international sports bodies.
Expected impact of sanctions
The anticipated sanctions are likely to serve as a strong warning to all national federations on the continent, indicating that any harm to the safety of referees and officials is a red line that cannot be crossed. These decisions will have a direct impact on the performance of Indonesian clubs in current and future continental tournaments, forcing sports authorities there to reconsider the security protocols in place at stadiums.
