Wimbo Satwiko

Jakarta Derby Will Go on, Fans or Not

The show must go on for Persija Jakarta, whether or not anyone is watching.

Persija is scheduled to host city rival Persitara North Jakarta at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Wednesday. However, the Jakarta Police will only issue a match permit if the contest takes place behind closed doors.

Joko Driyono, chief executive of Indonesian Super League administrator PT Liga Indonesia, said the match must take place on schedule.

“It’s impossible to move or reschedule the match as we have no time,” Joko said on Monday. “If Persija fails to hold the match, then we’ll take the case to the disciplinary committee.”

The Jakarta derby was originally scheduled for Dec. 23, but the Jakarta Police refused to issue the necessary permit during Operation Candle, an annual security exercise that takes place during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Though the PTLI rescheduled the match to Wednesday, the police are still reluctant to issue the permit over fears of clashes between rival fans.

Representatives of the teams’ fan clubs — Jakmania for Persija and NJ Mania for Persitara — met to try and resolve the problem.

“We agreed not to come to the match if it was not held behind closed doors,” said Harry Ruswanto, the NJ Mania chief.

Gelora Bung Karno could soon have another tenant in the form of defending Super League champion Persipura Jayapura. Persipura is scrambling to find a new home for its AFC Champions League matches after the Asian Football Confederation ruled out its home, Mandala Stadium in Jayapura, Papua, as a potential site for matches.

“The AFC checked the stadium, and they noted [renovations were] only 60 percent complete,” PTLI media manager Azwan Karim said. “Originally, the AFC didn’t allow a club to move its home ground during the event, but it gave a dispensation to Persipura.”

Persipura chose Gelora Bung Karno as its home ground for the ACL group stage, though it will be allowed to play in Mandala should it reach the knockout phase.

Meanwhile, an Alberto Goncalves brace lifted the Black Pearls to a 2-0 victory against Persela Lamongan over the weekend. Elsewhere, Persiwa Wamena beat Persijap Jepara 3-1, and Persik Kediri edged past Persema Malang 2-1. Wimbo Satwiko

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