Indonesian Soccer Player Patrich Wanggai Faces Racist Abuse Following Victory Against Persija Jakarta

In a regrettable incident following the recent match between PSM Makassar and Persija Jakarta, prominent Indonesian soccer player Patrich Wanggai became the target of racist abuse on social media. Wanggai, whose remarkable performance contributed to PSM Makassar’s decisive 2-0 victory, has faced derogatory comments from fans, allegedly supporters of Persija. These comments included disparaging slurs and even an individual who resorted to using solely gorilla emojis in their attack against the Papuan native.

The situation has elicited widespread condemnation from various quarters, with many individuals taking to social media to express their disgust and rally behind Wanggai. Notably, Marc Klok, a midfielder for Persija, expressed his outrage and emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable, asserting that racism should have no place in soccer

“It is appalling what has transpired against Patrich Wanggai on social media. I stand firmly against racism. Regardless of team allegiance, this behavior should never be tolerated in our sport. Change is imperative and it needs to occur immediately!” stated Klok in a public statement.

While incidents of racism in Indonesian soccer have not reached the levels observed in European football, there is a pressing need for the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to take decisive action to address this issue. PSM Makassar has formally lodged a complaint with the PSSI regarding the disgraceful comments directed at Wanggai. As of now, PSSI has not issued a public response.

Furthermore, the police, who have initiated a Virtual Police division aimed at curtailing online hate speech, have yet to provide any commentary on this matter. This unfortunate episode serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that remain in eradicating racism from the world of sports, particularly in Indonesian soccer. As advocates for equality and respect in sports continue to voice their concerns, it is vital that the governing bodies respond forcefully to prevent further escalation of this troubling trend.