Indonesia football tragedy spotlights violent fan culture, poor stadium policing
- Fractious relationship between football clubs and fans highlighted after pitch invasion at Arema v Persebaya match left at least 125 people dead
- Experts question police use of tear gas in the match as human rights groups call for thorough investigation, accountability
A second later, the air turned foggy as police fired tear gas at the tribune, sending supporters racing to the nearest exits.
Bima’s 28-second video that went viral on Twitter depicts police’s heavy-handed approach to disperse the riotous crowd at the football match, which left at least 125 people dead and more than 300 injured – making it one of the world’s deadliest sporting stadium disasters in five decades.
Dedy Prasetyo, spokesman for the national police, said 18 officers who were equipped with tear gas launchers were under investigation.
Jakarta on Monday said it had formed a joint independent fact-finding team to investigate the incident, with the aim of releasing a report in two or three weeks.
Eyewitness videos and testimonies have highlighted the relationship between Indonesian football clubs and their zealous but aggressive supporters, which has often led to unnecessary deaths.
Trouble began after Arema lost 2-3 to Persebaya, their first defeat in 23 years to their biggest rivals. Some Aremanias – the name of Arema supporters – invaded the pitch to “express their disappointment to Arema players”.