Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has officially accepted the sanctions and fines imposed by FIFA due to violations committed during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers Round 3 Group C.
The penalties, detailed in the FIFA Disciplinary Commission’s list published on November 7, 2024, stem from incidents in matches against Australia, Bahrain, and China.
Four Sanctions Imposed by FIFA
1. Warning for Late Kick-Off
- Incident: Late start during the match against Australia on September 10, 2024.
- Penalty: Official warning.
2. Fine for Repeated Late Kick-Off
- Incident: Late kick-off in the match against China on October 15, 2024.
- Penalty: 10,000 Swiss Francs (RM49,943).
3. Misconduct by Manager Sumardji
- Incident: Sumardji, the Indonesian team manager, received a red card during the 2-2 draw against Bahrain on October 10, 2024. FIFA cited “wrong behavior” during the match.
- Penalty: One-match ban and a fine of 5,000 Swiss Francs (RM24,972).
4. Assistant Coach Misconduct
- Incident: Assistant coach Kim Jong-jin exhibited “incorrect behavior” in the same match against Bahrain.
- Penalty: Four-match ban and a fine of 5,000 Swiss Francs (RM24,972).
In total, Indonesia was fined 20,000 Swiss Francs (RM99,887) for these violations. These penalties highlight administrative lapses and misconduct within the national team’s management during crucial fixtures.
PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) member Arya Sinulingga acknowledged the sanctions and emphasized the need for introspection:
“We fully comply with FIFA’s fines and will take this as an opportunity to evaluate and improve ourselves.”
Regarding the incident with Sumardji, Arya stated: “He acted in defense of our coach, Shin Tae-yong, to avoid further penalties, but we accept the consequences.”
The penalties serve as a wake-up call for PSSI to address procedural inefficiencies and ensure better discipline among team officials and players. With key fixtures ahead, the focus will shift toward rebuilding the team’s reputation on and off the field.
Credit Photo : AFC
