September 4 – A firework fired at the end of a friendly match between Indonesia and Fiji on Saturday in Bekasi, West Java, killed a spectator.
“The fireworks were flown from the southern grandstand to the east grandstand immediately after the match. One spectator who was affected by fireworks then died,” according to Ratu Tisha Destria, secretary general of the All Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) in Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi on Saturday.
Reports are that police have arrested the spectator who released the fireworks that killed Catur Yuliantono (32).
Ratu said that stadium security had followed al the safety protocols but unfortunately some spectators still managed to smuggle in fireworks.
“PSSI accompanied and admitted the victim to a hospital. We express our condolences to the family of the victim and condemn this attitude and all acts that could destroy the national football,” Ratu said.
Indonesia is a lead partner in the proposed ASEAN consortium examining a submission to joint host the World Cup in 2034.
Gatot Widakdo, head of media relations and digital promotion of PSSI, said that they hoped that PSSI would not be sanctioned by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) or FIFA but that the PSSI would likely provide compensation to the family of the victim.
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