PSSI Condemns the Beating of Referees in the Men’s Football Branch of PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra 2024

BANDA ACEH – PSSI strongly condemns the controversy in the match National Sports Week (PON) 2024 involving the Aceh team against Central Sulawesi. The incident began with the controversial leadership of referee Eko Agus Sugih Harto. The referee’s controversial action was responded to by Central Sulawesi players with an indecent action of punching the referee until he collapsed and was rushed by ambulance.

PSSI strongly condemns this incident. PSSI emphasized that the heaviest sanctions threaten players and referees involved in the incident. “Embarrassing. Very embarrassing. PSSI will thoroughly investigate this incident and will impose the heaviest sanctions!” said PSSI General Chairman, Erick Thohir, in his written statement, Sunday (15/9/2024).

Erick said his party would conduct a thorough investigation starting from the referee’s leadership which was considered full of oddities. In addition, the very unsportsmanlike reaction of the players was also certain to result in the heaviest sanctions.

“There will definitely be a thorough investigation. Indications of unfair matches are serious material to be reviewed. Likewise, the players’ reactions will certainly result in very severe sanctions,” said Erick.

The referee and other parties are also threatened with a lifetime ban if they are found to have rigged the match. However, Erick also emphasized that there is no justification for players to carry out the beating.

“This is a criminal act that has legal consequences. The scandal regarding the referee’s decision is another thing that also has legal consequences if it is indeed indicated to have been arranged by certain individuals,” said Erick.

PSSI considers this incident to tarnish the honor of Indonesian football which is starting to show a bright spot. For the sake of dignity and not to prevent similar incidents from happening again, Erick guarantees the punishment given will be one of the most severe.

“There is no tolerance for parties who have intentionally violated the fair play commitment. Sanctions are not just punishments but statements from Indonesian football that do not tolerate any practices outside of fair play,” Erick emphasized.

(sto)