Chair of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, at the FIFA Women’s Football Workshop in Jakarta on July 1, 2024. (ANTARA/Aloysius Lewokeda/rst)
Jakarta (ANTARA) –
Chair of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, has said that he does not want riots like the one at the 2024 Copa America in the United States to occur in Indonesia.
During a meeting with chief of the National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, on Monday, he discussed the compliance of the Indonesian football agenda and security with FIFA standards in terms of match organizers, players, referees, and supporters.
Thohir said that he does not want any incidents, like the one experienced during the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia at the Sun Life Stadium, Miami, on July 14, 2024, to occur in Indonesia.
The final match had to be postponed for several minutes due to the rioting crowd outside the stadium.
On July 11, riots also occurred after the semifinal match between Colombia and Uruguay, which Colombia won 1-0.
"The joint commitment from the government, FIFA, PSSI, and the police ensures that supporters return home safely. A layered security will also be implemented," he informed.
To support security, Prabowo said that his party will provide security during football matches in Indonesia by referring to FIFA standards.
"We have evaluated the security some time ago. In the implementation of several seasons of League 1 and the series of the U-17 World Cup, everything has referred to FIFA standards. The police will secure the match but the ones surrounding the field will be the stewards," he added.
Prabowo continued that police personnel will still be kept ready and enter the stadium upon request.
"However, we will continue to coordinate for the best model, but currently we will implement the existing model referring to the FIFA standards," he disclosed.
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Translator: Zaro Ezza S, Resinta SulistiyandariEditor: Rahmad Nasution Copyright © ANTARA 2024
