According to an AP report, in Jakarta in 2019, Malaysian fans “were threatened and pelted with projectiles at a World Cup qualifier in Jakarta, and Malaysia’s visiting sports minister had to be evacuated from the stadium after violence broke out.” Indonesia football supporters often clash with rivals both within the country and outside. Reuters added that FIFA has asked for a report on the incident from Indonesia’s PSSI football association, and a PSSI team has been sent to Malang to investigate. According to a Reuters report, East Java police “did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether they were aware of such regulations”. The use of any crowd control gas or firearms is prohibited by world football governing body FIFA’s safety regulations. We would like to convey that… not all of them were anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars. The BBC quoted Nico Afinta, police chief in East Java, as saying, “It had gotten anarchic. Among the injured, many are reported to be in a critical condition. The stampede and suffocation claimed 174 lives, including that of a five-year-old boy and two police officers. The stadium had sold 42,000 tickets, against its capacity of 38,000. The police then fired tear gas, prompting panic and a rush to exits. The rioting spread outside, with people toppling and damaging police cars, according to an Associated Press report. However, after Persebaya won 3-2, thousands of irate fans poured onto the pitch, hurling bottles and other items at players and officials. Only Arema fans had been allowed inside, to curb possible rioting by fans of the two teams. On Saturday, Arema FC were playing arch rivals Persebaya Surabaya at the former’s home stadium. Also in Explained | Why do fast bowlers suffer frequent stress fractures these days?

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