Out-of-control Soccer Fans

Indonesian football faces an old but increasingly serious problem: fanatical supporters. Banning the matches is not the solution.

September 27, 2005

WHEN one writes of football in Indonesia, it is not about notable wins or losses. Instead, its about the fanaticism of supporters which tends to lead to violence, as was the case during the final round of the Indonesian League matches in Jakarta last week. It used to be just those over-enthusiastic football fans (bonek) from Surabaya. Then came the Jakmania fans who backed the Jakarta Persija team, and later, the Snex who supported PSIS Semarang.

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