On January 1, 2022, tragedy struck during a soccer match in Indonesia. A deadly stadium crush occurred during a game between Persib Bandung and PSS Sleman, resulting in the deaths of 130 people and leaving hundreds more injured. The incident sparked national outrage and calls for accountability and improved safety measures at sporting events. Now, several months later, the two teams are set to meet once again for the first time since the disaster. As the Indonesian soccer community mourns the loss of lives and works to prevent future incidents, this game holds deep significance. In this article, we will take a closer look at the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, the aftermath, and what this upcoming match means for both teams and their fans.
In October 2022, a deadly stampede occurred at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java, killing over 130 people at the end of a match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya. The tragedy occurred when some of the 42,000 Arema FC supporters ran onto the pitch following their 3-2 loss to Persebaya Surabaya. Some fans clashed with police, prompting security forces to fire tear gas into enclosed areas of the stadium, triggering a panic and crush at the exits. Following the disaster, several gates were still locked minutes after the referee blew the final whistle. Most of the deaths were attributed to fans attempting to flee the choking smoke.
On Tuesday, November 30, 2023, Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya played their first match behind closed doors since the deadly stampede. The match was held at a stadium owned by the Indonesian police in Jakarta, and Persebaya won 1-0. According to Reuters, some of Arema’s players were still traumatized by last year’s stampede and were unable to play.
In March 2023, two Indonesian soccer officials were sentenced up to 18 months in prison by a court over the deadly stadium crush, while three police officials charged with negligence will have their cases heard at a later date. FIFA stripped Indonesia of hosting the men’s Under-20 World Cup later in 2023 after an Indonesian official objected to the participation of Israel. However, soccer’s global governing body pledged to actively assist in the transformation process of Indonesian football following the tragedy.
President Joko Widodo announced that Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang would be demolished and rebuilt according to FIFA standards. The tragedy brought back to the spotlight the lack of basic stadium infrastructure needed to make sporting events safe for fans.
In conclusion, the deadly stadium crush that occurred on December 2019 will forever remain etched in the hearts of many Indonesians as a tragic and unforgettable event. However, the fact that two of the country’s top football clubs met for the first time following the disaster is a powerful symbol of resilience and unity. It highlights the unifying power of football and its ability to bring people together in ways that transcend language, culture, and even tragedy. We can only hope that this event serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining safety standards and the need for all stakeholders to work together to ensure that our stadiums remain safe for all fans. Together, we can prevent any future tragedies and continue enjoying the beautiful game.
