REPRIEVE FOR PERSIPURA JAYAPURA

Earlier this month, the team which is also known as the ’Black Pearl’, were handed with a variety of punishments for their recent walk-out in the final of the Copa Dji Sam Soe 2009.

Persipura was caught in a controversy at the half hour mark of the final of the Copa Dji Sam Soe when referee Purwanto denied Persipura a penalty for what seemed to be a handball committed by Sriwijaya defender Joel Jacques Tsimi inside the box.

The incident sparked protests from the Persipura players for which Purwanto then flashed the red card on Ernest Jeremiah which in turn led Boaz Solossa to stage the walk-out.

The score at the time of the controversy was 1-0 in favour of Sriwijaya following a header from Anoure Richard Obiora in the 51st minute and where following the walk-out, referee Purwanto then awarded a comprehensive 4-0 to Sriwijaya.

Apart from the ban on the club imposed by the Disciplinary Committee where they will not be allowed to take part in the Cipa Dji Sam Soe 2010, imports Ernest Jeremiah and Alberto Goncalves have been banned for three years as well as being slapped a fine of Rp100 (USD 10,200) and Rp150 (USD15,200)

Persipura have also been asked to return the match fee and other contributions they have picked up for the duration of the Copa Dji Sae Soe 2009.

Persipura official MR Kambu was also banned from all football activities for two years and fined Rp100 juta (USD 10,200).

For the lack of security during the final match, the local organisers were also fined Rp50 juta (USD 5,000).

Following the appeal from Persipura, the Appeals Committee met twice on 12 and 14 August 2009 and has decided on three major points.

The decision to ban Persipura from taking part in the Copa Dji Sam Soe 2010 has been lifted.

“We had a majority decision on this and we felt that the Disciplinary Committee had made a mistake in banning Persipura from taking part in the Copa Dji Sam Soe 2010. They only walked out halfway through the final match of the Copa Dji Sam Soe 2009 and for that, they should not be banned for the next edition and need not return the match fee,” said committee chairman Rusdi Taher.

However, Persipura were still handed with a 3-0 defeat for the walk-out and have been slapped with a fine of Rp 150 juta (USD 15,100) under article 56 clause 1.

Furthermore, Persipura president MR Kambu has been slapped with further punishments with a ban from two to three years from all PSSI football activities and also an increase in fine from Rp 100 juta (USD 10,200) to Rp 150 juta (USD 15,200).

“MR Kambu has transgressed article 56 clause 1 point 3. He had the authority during the time of the incident to make his team continue with the match but he did not do so. And at the same time, PSSI president Nurdin Haled, had also reminded Persipura of the repercussion should they not continue the game but they did not pay heed,“ added Rusdi.

The Appeals Committee also decided to give some measure of relief to Persipura’s Brazilian player Alberto Goncalves.

The fine of Rp 150 juta (USD 15,200) still stays but he will only serve one-match ban instead of three years.