Erick Thohir warns clubs could lose points if they fail to control violent supporters.
Indonesian football clubs could face consequences beyond stadium restrictions as PSSI considers using league points to push clubs toward stronger supporter management following recent violent incidents.
PSSI Considers Point Deductions
PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir said clubs that fail to prevent their supporters from committing violent acts could face point deductions. Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on October 13, 2026, Erick said PSSI would first give clubs and the league operator an opportunity to reach an agreement on security measures before taking stricter action.
Two Attacks Trigger Stronger Warning
The warning followed two incidents involving football supporters on Java. One targeted the Elite Pro Academy Persib team group at the KM 360 rest area in Batang, Central Java, while another involved an attack on Persija supporters along the Palikanci Toll Road in Cirebon, West Java. Erick said the incidents had moved toward criminal behavior rather than ordinary football rivalry.
Bus Attack Raises Criminal Concerns
Erick pointed to video footage from the attack on the EPA Persib bus, which he said showed an individual carrying a blunt object and damaging the vehicle. He questioned why anyone attending football-related activities would bring such an object and said retaliatory violence by other supporters was equally unacceptable.
Away Supporters Could Face Restrictions Again
PSSI is also leaving open the possibility of restricting away supporters again if clubs and the league operator cannot provide adequate security guarantees. Erick said away-supporter restrictions had been in place for nearly four years before visiting fans were allowed to return this season, only for violent incidents to emerge again.
PSSI Calls for Joint Responsibility
Despite the incidents, Erick stressed that PSSI did not want to blame only one side. He called on clubs, the league operator, and other parties to strengthen coordination and uphold their shared commitment to creating safer football matches. PSSI has indicated that intervention, including possible point deductions, could follow if those commitments fail to produce adequate security measures.
The proposed sanctions could make supporter behavior a more direct competitive concern for Indonesian football clubs, with violence potentially affecting results beyond the stadium itself. For Indonesians, the warning places greater responsibility on clubs and football stakeholders to maintain safety, while Singaporeans following Indonesian football may also see stricter supporter policies shape the experience of attending matches in the country.
Sources: EN Tempo (2026) , NTV News (2026)
Keywords: PSSI Point Deduction, Indonesian Football Supporters, Erick Thohir, Supporter Violence, Persib Supporters, Persija Supporters
