In Indonesia, football fan culture is vibrant, and its rivalries intense. Animosity between opposing teams is so strong that away fans are generally banned from attending games, as was the case at the time of the Kanjuruhan stadium disaster, when only home Arema supporters were allowed tickets.
Rivalries have descended into violence in the past. Before the Kanjuruhan disaster, 78 people had died in football-related accidents over the last 28 years, according to government figures. It is common for away players to be escorted to and from matches by armoured vehicles.
Yet the disaster that claimed the lives of 131 people in Malang regency, East Java, this month, has prompted – for now at least – a dialling down in hostilities.
Fans of both Arema and their rivals Persebaya have come together, with members of the latter offering support to those mourning friends and relatives. Voices from both sides want organisers and the police to be held accountable.
There was chaos after a pitch invasion by some Arema fans, which prompted police to fire teargas, including, witnesses say, into the stands without warning. The huge clouds of teargas caused panic, and thousands rushed to escape. It was one of the deadliest sports stadium disasters ever.
The Indonesian government has established a fact-finding mission, and six people are already facing charges over the disaster. Already, questions have been raised: why did police use teargas inside the stadium, contrary to Fifa guidance? Why were 42,000 tickets sold for a stadium that holds a maximum of 38,000 people. Why were only four paramedics on standby inside the stadium?
On Monday, the police admitted the teargas they had used had expired.
Fans from both sides want answers. “Who commanded them to carry the ammunition [teargas]? Who gave the command to shoot into the tribune?” asked Amin Fals, a coordinator of Arema Jalur Gaza in Pasuruan, a group of between 200 and 300 Arema supporters.
The police overdid it, he said. If a fan brought a flare into a stadium they would face sanctions, he added. “I once brought a lighter and it was confiscated. What about teargas? Seems like they’re ready for war, don’t you think?”
Amin, who has never missed a home game, said that in the past police had used shields, dogs, water cannon and batons as part of their crowd control measures, but he had never seen any use of teargas. He had not experienced police violence himself, but said he had witnessed other supporters being beaten by the police.
Tulus Budi, a supporter of Persebaya, said many people had a role in fostering the climate that led to the recent disaster, from broadcasters, to organisers and league operators.
“Sports journalists also had their hand in this as they wrote triggering articles before the game. What’s their goal? Of course to boost up their print circulation. We can trace this from the menacing titles of the articles,” he said.
He said supporters should also shoulder some blame for chants threatening to kill fans of opposing teams.
In the days after the stadium disaster, many Persebaya fans have expressed solidarity online with Arema supporters, offering condolences and assistance. Andie Peci, an activist Persebaya supporter, tweeted to say he would support “whatever steps and movements Aremania will take in responding to the tragedy in Kanjuruhan”, adding that he was ready to be part of such movements.
Rodrigo, an Arema fan who asked to give one name, said he had been moved by the response of Persebaya supporters.
Just hours before the incident, rival supporters were taunting him. Yet when news of the tragedy spread, he saw his social media timeline filled with tributes to Arema supporters.
Accounts that once argued with him, had turned their profile pictures to images honouring the grief of Arema, he said. “I’m sure things will change drastically.”
Tulus hopes that the disaster will change fan relationships, but he said reform was also needed from team management and football bosses.
For supporters, change would take time, he added. “None of this can be forced. Anything forced is merely ceremonial. Merely temporary.” If the relations were to improve, it would take commitment from both sides, he added. “I always wished I would never pass on hate to those around me, but people have their own choices. We can’t step in someone else’s shoes.”
Amin hopes that in the future supporters will be able to watch a game side by side, in peace. “No more lives should be lost,” he adds.
“After all, we’re still standing under the red and white flag of the country, right? Rivalry has to exist, but limit that to a 90-minute match on the field.”
“If football is more expensive than life, I’d rather have the world go on without football. Even though I love it so much,” Amin said.
