New Security Measures at Football Match

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO (TOK)

Match security guards (stewards) watched the spectators in the stands when the Indonesian national team hosted Cambodia in the 2022 AFF Cup Group A match at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, Friday (23/12/2022). Indonesia managed to win 2-1 through goals scored by Egy Maulana Vikri and Witan Sulaeman..

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Indonesia's match against Cambodia in the preliminary Group A round of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 at the Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta on Friday (23/12/2022) saw the implementation for the first time of newly regulated security measures for football competitions. There were minor incidents but the match organizers kept the situation under control through a persuasive and non-violent approach.

In the match attended by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and First Lady Iriana, Indonesia beat Cambodia 2-1, with the goals for the Garuda squad scored by striker Egy Maulana Vikri and winger Witan Sulaeman. The Cambodian goal was delivered by Sareth Krya.

The trial of new security measures went quite smoothly until the end of the match. A minor incident took place in sector 19, where Garuda Ultra home fans were watching. At the beginning of the second half, they chanted demands that the police and the government thoroughly investigate the recent Kanjuruhan tragedy that cost the lives of more than 100 supporters during a domestic league match.

A group of supporters bearing Garuda Ultras banners in one of the stands behind the goal chanted lines of satire addressed at the police. "Mr. policemen, your job is to protect…. Mr. policeman... Mr. policeman... Don't join the competition," it cranked up from the stands repeatedly for several times.

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The supporters unfurled banners pointing to the Kanjuruhan tragedy. They read “Mereka Bukan Meninggal Tapi Dibunuh” (They didn’t die accidently die but were murdered) and "Usut Tuntas Tragedi Kanjuruhan” (Investigate thoroughly the Kanjuruhan tragedy).

Several supporters were seen trudging down the stands before being held back by security attendants. The incident incited a hostile reaction from the crowds, causing louder noises throughout the stadium. Shouts and claps reverberated. There were no security attendants in police or military uniform, which was an unprecedented scene from the enforcement of new security standards.

Security supervision inside the stadium was carried out by civilian stewards, unarmed and in pink uniform t-shirts. During the match, the stewards took the backs-to-pitch position with watchful eyes on the stands. They were placed along the pitch side.

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO (TOK)

Stewards watched the spectators in the stands when the Indonesian National Team hosted Cambodia in the Group A match of the 2022 AFF Cup at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium Jakarta, Friday (23/12/2022).

When a small commotion flared up, the stewards scrutinized the spectators with heightened attention but refrained from taking any action that might cause friction. They simply moved to escort the fans downstairs to be spoken to. Afterward, the commotion died down.

The ongoing AFF Cup, a premier regional football competition among ASEAN countries, serves as an occasion for the National Police to trial the implementation of the State Police Regulation No. 10/2022 concerning security measures for sports competitions. The regulation was issued following the deadly Kanjuruhan tragedy, in which over 100 fans of host Arema Malang died in a match against Persebaya Surabaya.

The regulation still requires police involvement in a match but on alert only outside the stadium, as seen during the Indonesia-Cambodia encounter.

“There are only stewards inside [the stadium]. The police are outside. The police will enter if there is a call from the organizers, the security inspector," National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo said at a press conference prior to the match.

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About 10 minutes before kick-off, the match organizers announced the rules for the spectators in the stadium. However, some found themselves so fired up by the match they ignored calls for compliance with organizers’ appeals. At the beginning of the match, they not only cheered the home team but also booed the Cambodian players every time they were in possession of the ball. Some spectators rose from their seats in enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the stewards were occasionally led by the crowd’s enthused screams to turn their attention to the spectacle.

Some 20 minutes into the second half, an incident took place between fans and match stewards. A group of fans took to the field. They looked to be chasing someone before being herded back to the stand. A bottle of mineral water was hurled onto the pitch from a section of the stands. At the end of the match, the guardrail in the stands behind the goal almost collapsed under the crowd’s pressure.

Despite those incidents, the match between Indonesia and Cambodia was generally under control. The new security procedures can continue to be applied in the national football league.

The President [was also interested in] watching us. Thanks to the Indonesian fans for their support,

According to the organizing committee, some 25,322 spectators were in the 77,000-capacity stadium to watch the match. More spectators are expected for Indonesia’s next match against Thailand on Thursday (29/12), for which 50,000 tickets have been set aside.

Meanwhile, Indonesian coach Shin Tae-yong thanked the supporters for their support. A 2-1 win over minnow Cambodia did not seem to impress him when he said he apologized for the team’s failure to produce an entertaining game. He felt honored by President Jokowi’s attendance. ”The President [was also interested in] watching us. Thanks to the Indonesian fans for their support," he said.

This article was translated by Musthofid.