Bahrain Football Association (BFA) is facing a wave of cyber attacks following the controversial 2-2 draw against Indonesia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers Round 3 on October 10, 2024.
The official Instagram account of the BFA, Bahrainfa, announced that both their website and social media platforms were being targeted by malicious individuals, coinciding with the fallout from the match.
Bahrain’s equalizer, scored in the 90+9 minute, sparked outrage among the Indonesian team and their fans, as only 6 minutes of stoppage time had initially been indicated by the referee, Ahmed Al Kaf of Oman. The late goal denied Indonesia what would have been a historic victory, leaving them with just one point instead of three. The controversy led to widespread dissatisfaction, prompting fans across Asia to lash out online, with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) social media also being bombarded with negative comments.
The situation escalated further as cyber attacks targeted the BFA’s website and social media accounts. The BFA confirmed the breaches, noting that their IT department was actively working to secure their systems. “We are prioritizing all preventive measures related to the website and social media accounts, which have been threatened and received inappropriate comments,” the BFA stated, emphasizing their use of strict security protocols and the need for continuous monitoring.
The cyber attacks, which could result in data theft or system damage, have added a layer of complexity to Bahrain’s World Cup campaign. Despite the controversy, Bahrain currently holds 4 points from three matches in the Asia Zone of the World Cup qualifiers, while Indonesia has managed 3 points from three consecutive draws. Both teams face challenging upcoming matches, with Bahrain scheduled to play Saudi Arabia away, and Indonesia set to visit China on October 15, 2024.
Credit Photo : WANGCHUN OU
