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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| EPAYonhap News |
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Indonesia, which was controversial for suddenly kicking out coach Shin Tae-yong, was disciplined by FIFA.
Local media, including CNN Indonesia, reported on the 11th (Korea time) 'FI issued a fine of 400 million rupiah (about 33.92 million won) to the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and a disciplinary action to close 15% of the next A-match stands' It was problematic that some spectators shouted xenophobic and racist slogans in the 35th minute of the second half when they were leading 1-0 in the eighth match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Bahrain at Glora Bungcarno Stadium in Jakarta on March 25. In addition to disciplinary action, FIFA also advised PSSI to establish a comprehensive plan to prevent discriminatory behavior. PSSI Commissioner Ariah Sinuringa said, `It is not easy to accept FIFA disciplinary action, but it teaches us all that racism, xenophobia and hate speech are of no use" he said.
The disciplinary action will allow Indonesia to play in a smaller crowd than the number of spectators (77,913) admitted to Glora Bungarno Stadium in Game 9 of the third qualifying round against China in Jakarta on June 5. It's not just disciplinary action. Indonesia will miss many of its main players in the match against China. Midfielder Marcelino Ferdinand, goalkeeper Martin Pais, defenders Kevin Diggs and Dean James are out. Ferdinand and Pais are known to have accumulated warnings, while Diggs and James are reportedly unable to play in the match against China due to injuries. Indonesia, which currently marks the fourth place in the playoff with nine points after eight games, is trailing fifth-place Bahrain and sixth-place China (more than six points).
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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The Chinese soccer community is shaking when such news is reported. China's Tencent reported on Indonesia's FIFA disciplinary action and absence from the starting lineup on the 12th, saying that `Indonesian fans will not be able to move easily in the next game, and the Indonesian national team will also not be free from the effects of punishment. This will make the players' mental strength and tactical performance unstable. 'This is an opportunity that cannot be easily obtained for the Chinese national team. We need to focus on away victories and make the most of their advantage to earn three points' Chinese netizens also agreed that Indonesia's victory over Bahrain should be dealt with 0-3 forfeiture. This argument is being made in that if Indonesia loses the match against Bahrain, it will have the same point as China, and depending on the results of the remaining two games, China is also likely to advance to the playoffs.
However, it is unclear whether China's wish will come true. CNN Indonesia reported that FIFA can reduce the punishment of closing the stands on the condition that 15% of tickets are distributed to anti-discrimination organizations, families, students, and women, and hang hang hangers with anti-discrimination slogans to PSSI. FIFA's decision to impose fines instead of dealing with forfeited losses is also not expected to change.
Reporter Park Sang-kyung ppark@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
