PSSI Urges Fans to Avoid Xenophobia Ahead of Crucial Match Against China

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir has called on Indonesian football supporters to avoid xenophobic behavior ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifier between Indonesia and China at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. His appeal comes in light of a past incident during the match against Bahrain, where some fans displayed discriminatory behavior, resulting in a FIFA fine and crowd size sanctions. Erick emphasized the importance of being gracious hosts and maintaining a respectful atmosphere for visiting teams.

He encouraged fans to show their support through creative and positive expressions, as seen in recent matches where Indonesian supporters showcased impressive tifos. Erick reminded the public that football should be free of racism and discrimination, regardless of the opponent. He reiterated that such negative actions not only hurt the national image but also attract international scrutiny.

Approximately 3,000 Chinese supporters are expected to attend the match, with the rest of the stadium likely to be filled with enthusiastic home fans, as tickets have sold out. The match against China is critical for Indonesia’s World Cup qualification hopes, making it essential that both players and fans represent the country with dignity and sportsmanship.

Indonesia currently sits fourth in their group with nine points, just ahead of Bahrain and China. With a narrow gap separating them from higher-ranked teams like Saudi Arabia and Australia, the outcome of the next two matches — including an away game against Japan — will be pivotal in determining their path to the next round of qualification.

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