Footballer Michael Krmenčík of Persija Jakarta spat in the Borneo captain’s face in an Indonesian league match and received a yellow card. Defender Diego Michiels, who was the first to spit on the Czech striker, punched him in the face and was sent off.
According to a video on social networks, Michiels first spat on Krmenčík’s neck from behind. The former Pilsen or Slavia Prague player returned the unsportsmanlike gesture and hit his opponent in the face, after which he received a slap from him and fell to the ground.
The head referee, after consulting with the assistant referee, awarded a yellow card to Krmenčík in the 80th minute and gave a red card to the Borneo winger. Enraged, Michiels rushed at Krmenčík and knocked him to the ground with one punch. The 29-year-old Czech striker was quickly replaced.
Persia won 1:0 thanks to Krmenčík’s assist and is in third place in the incomplete table. Defender Ondřej Kúdela also started for the home team.
The Indonesian competition restarted two months after the tragedy in Malang, where 135 people died in a stampede after the championship duel between Arema and Persebaya Surabaya. For now, matches are played in empty stadiums without spectators.
After the match in Malang, home team fans took to the field and the police took action against them. According to the findings of the investigative commission, the incident was mainly caused by the use of tear gas, which was banned by the international federation FIFA. The commission said the police officers were unaware of this ban. Six people were charged, including police officers and organizers.
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