Jakarta, IO – The National Police’s Anti-Soccer Mafia Task Force found the six suspects to be involved in bribery to fix match between two clubs in Liga 2 in November 2018.
National Police’s Criminal Investigation Bureau deputy head Insp. Gen. Asep Edi Suheri said they consisted of four referees and two football club administrators, per Katadata, Thursday (28/9).
“From the results of the investigation, investigators have obtained sufficient evidence to name them suspect,” said Asep.
Asep revealed that the method used started with the club lobbying or asking for help from the referees to win the match. This request was made by offering bribes.
“The club gave Rp100 million to the referees at the hotel where they were staying,” explained Asep. The club reportedly had spent Rp1 billion in total to lobby the referees.
According to Asep, the club involved in the bribery is still active in Liga Indonesia. The referees involved led matches until 2022.
In the process, the Task Force have examined 15 witnesses, consisting of football clubs, referees, match supervisors, hotel officials, hotel employees, and the match organizing committee and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) commission.
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The investigation started after the Task Force received a report of bribery allegation in June.
Even though they have been named as suspects, they have yet been arrested because the crime carries less than five years of jail time.
Asep said the police is expanding the investigation to uncover possible involvement of other individuals, especially those with the football club. (un)