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Persija Jakarta is still trying to cope with an Indonesian Football Association disciplinary committee decision that could jeopardize its title chances this season.

After the capital club failed to secure a police permit for its March 13 home match against Persiwa Wamena, the association (PSSI) awarded Persiwa a 3-0 forfeit victory. Indonesian Super League rules state clubs are responsible for acquiring the necessary permits.

Jakarta Police told Persija match organizers it would not issue a match permit because of a planned anti-terror exercise that weekend with the Indonesian Special Armed Forces.

Persija organizing official Reza Khan said the club should not have been punished as there was nothing it could do to overturn the police’s decision.

“Jakarta Police intelligence warned us [of the exercise] about a week prior to the match, but they recommended the match be postponed on Friday afternoon, just a day before the game,” Reza said on Thursday.

The forfeit left Persija, hoping for its first league title since 2001, sixth in the standings with 35 points from 23 matches, 13 points behind league leader Arema Malang.

Organizers normally file permit requests at least one month prior to the match, Reza said, while police only issue permits one to three days ahead of the game.

In an attempt to cover their bases, Persija organizers tried to secure match permits from Central Jakarta Police for Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and South Jakarta Police for Lebak Bulus Stadium. “Both rejected issuing the permit on Friday. There was nothing we can do,” he said.

The decision left Jakarta without football for a second successive week. Persija was scheduled to face rival Persitara North Jakarta at Soemantri Brodjonegoro Stadium on March 7, but the match was moved to May 22 after Persitara only secured a permit for a match behind closed doors.

Weekends without football are nothing new in Jakarta, with police frequently ordering matches to be played without fans or called off entirely due to concerns over potential fan violence and other non-football factors.

Jakarta Police refused to take responsibility for the fixture chaos, though.

“We never banned football matches in the city, but if we need to postpone a match because something really important happens, then we’ll do it,” Jakarta Police spokesman Sr.Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said on Friday.

Boy also urged Persija fans to behave themselves so police would not hestitate to issue the permits in the future.

Before Persija played Persipura Jayapura on March 16, police detained 15 Persija fans for weapons and drugs offenses.

“We welcome every event in Jakarta, including football, but all parties need to have a commitment to keep Jakarta safe,” Boy said.

Persija’s last hope is the appeals committee.

“If Persitara could reschedule a match just a day before it’s supposed to be held, why can’t we?” Persija assistant manager Ferry Indrasjarief said. “We’ll surely appeal this decision, and we demand justice.” ISL