Violence Erupts at Deltras vs Persibo Match in Liga 2
In a shocking turn of events, the match between Deltras FC and Persibo Bojonegoro in the preliminary round of the Pegadaian Liga 2 season 2024/2025 held at Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo, on Saturday (11/1/2025) evening ended in chaos. The crucial game to secure the last spot in Group 3 for advancing to the round of 8 has yet to be decided.
Clash Over Offside Goal Leads to Chaos
The turmoil began when Wisal El Burji committed a foul against Otavio Dutra in front of the penalty box. Referee Idfi Akbar Patha Sanduan blew the whistle to signal the foul and awarded a free kick. Persibo seized the opportunity and scored a goal. However, the goal by Amir Hamzah was surrounded by controversy as it was suspected to be offside before the goal was scored.
Players from Deltras protested the decision, leading to the referee and two assistants who did not confirm the goal becoming the targets of Persibo players’ anger. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, with security forces having to intervene to protect the referee. Players from both clubs engaged in a brawl, and even spectators in the stands briefly descended onto the field.
Uncertain Outcome and Match Suspension
The unrest caused the status of the game to hang in the balance as there was no final whistle from the referee to signal the end of the match. Deltras initially held the lead with a goal by Emerson Carioca in the 8th minute, putting them in a position to secure a spot in the round of 8 with a 1-0 victory and 25 points. However, Persibo, with 23 points, saw their fate change dramatically in injury time of the second half.
As tensions ran high and chaos ensued, the future of the match and the consequences for the teams remain uncertain. The clash between players and the controversy surrounding the offside goal have raised serious questions about the integrity and sportsmanship in Liga 2 football matches.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the passion and intensity that football ignites among players, fans, and officials, emphasizing the need for fair play and respect on and off the field to prevent such violent outbursts from occurring in the future.
