Kanjuruhan Disaster, Exploring Indonesia Mismanagement Football Match

Abstract

The Kanjuruhan disaster (1st October, 2022), which resulted in the deaths of some 135 people, is perhaps the darkest moment in Indonesian football history. The riots broke out after a match between Arema FC and Persebaya in the top-tier of the Indonesian domestic league, at Arema’s home stadium, Kanjuruhan Stadium. The Arema FC supporters, angry at their team’s 2:3 defeat stormed the field and thus triggered confrontations with the police. In contravention of FIFA policy, tear gas was subsequently fired into the grandstands. The use of tear gas is regarded as being the main cause of the deaths in the stadium. This research utilizes a case study approach to comprehend, explore and elaborate on the phenomena under investigation. Through data collected via interviews, documentation, direct observation and physical artifacts, the study concludes that the Kanjuruhan disaster is an outcome of poor football governance in Indonesia, wherein the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) neglects and violates football match regulations. These violations have led to subpar football standards, including the lack of factual stadium verification, misuse of tear gas by the police, overcrowding and incompetent match organizing committees.