Following the tragic death of Haringga Sirila, a 23-year-old resident of West Jakarta who was fatally beaten by a mob of Persib supporters prior to a football match in Bandung, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has made the decision to suspend the national football competition indefinitely. The incident took place outside the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api stadium before the Persija-Persib match, and a video of the attack quickly went viral, prompting widespread outrage.
Haringga, a fervent supporter of the Jakarta football club Persija, was laid to rest in his hometown of Indramayu, West Java, as his family seeks justice for the perpetrators. This is not the first time violence has erupted between supporters of the two teams, with Haringga being the seventh victim of such hostilities since 2012.
In response to the fatal brawl, the Chairman of PSSI, Edy Rahmayadi, announced the indefinite suspension of the national football competition until a thorough investigation into the murder of Haringga Sirila has been completed. Meanwhile, the Minister of Sports, Imam Nahrawi, emphasized the role of football and sports in uniting and entertaining the nation, rather than inciting fatal incidents.
The intense rivalry between fans of Persija and Persib has a troubling history, with several fatal incidents occurring over the past years. The most recent case prior to Haringga’s tragic death occurred in July 2017, when a Persib fan lost his life while trying to intervene in a fight between fellow supporters.
The management of Persija has pledged their full support for any legal measures taken to address the recent events. Similarly, the manager of Persib, Umuh Mochtar, has threatened to step down if the club’s fans do not cease their violent behavior. Furthermore, the police have identified eight suspects in connection to the death of Haringga, with two of them being underage.
Emotions ran high as the governor of West Java condemned the violent act as barbaric, urging law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice. The governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, expressed his deep regret and visited Haringga’s family to offer his condolences.
The deadly incidents stemming from the rivalry between Persija and Persib have claimed the lives of several fans over the years. From a series of deaths in 2012 during a match at Gelora Bung Karno stadium to the most recent tragedy involving Haringga Sirila, the violent clashes have left a trail of devastation in their wake.
In conclusion, the indefinite suspension of League One by PSSI underscores the gravity of the recent events and serves as a reminder of the dire consequences of fan violence in football. It is imperative for football associations and authorities to address these issues seriously and to work towards ensuring the safety and security of all football enthusiasts across the nation.
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