REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia (Menpora RI) Dito Ariotedjo ensured the safety of the Bahrain national team on its trip to Indonesia in the continuation of Group C of the World Cup 2026 Qualifier Asia Zone, in Jakarta on March 25, 2025.

“Regarding the match Indonesia versus Bahrain I have coordinated with the General Chairman of the PSSI where as sports minister we have guaranteed the safety of the Bahrain team in Indonesia... for sure we guarantee it,” Menpora Dito said at the Jakarta Palace on Monday (21/10/2024).

“Together with Ketum PSSI, as Minister of Sports, I have issued an official statement, in which we guarantee for the Bahraini team that will play in Indonesia that there can be no threat, its safety must be maintained,” he stressed.

Menpora added, so if there are claims or statements from Bahrain that playing in Indonesia is unsafe, then it can be certain that there will be no potential threat that could harm them.

“There should be no reason for Bahrain not to play in Indonesia and FIFA has also asked for the match to remain in Indonesia, to be played in Indonesia. Otherwise it means (Indonesia) wins walk over (WO),” Menpora said.

Earlier, Indonesian netizens hacked the accounts of the Bahrain Football Association (BFA), the Bahrain national team, and a number of players after the match against Indonesia in Bahrain on October 10 ended in a 2-2 draw. Bahrain's players are often thought to be performing theatrical stunts supported by Omani referee Ahmed Al Kaf. On top of that, Ahmes added three minutes in injury time until the Indonesian goal escorted by Maarten Paes conceded on 90+9 minutes.

The victory that was already in sight for Indonesia was gone, because after the 2-2 equalizing goal for Bahrain, the plontos-headed referee blew a long whistle, a sign the match was over.

The cyberattack prompted the BFA to ask the AFC and FIFA to move the venue of the match. Bahrain is scheduled to play in Jakarta on March 25, 2024, citing the safety of its team BFA submitted a request for the venue to be moved outside the NKRI or neutral venue.

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