Southeast Asia Malaysia

PSPS Riau and Kelantan FC Caught in Friendly Cancellation Fiasco

Liga 2 Indonesia side PSPS Riau and Liga Premier Malaysia club Kelantan FC were caught in a fiasco after their June 12th friendly was abruptly cancelled only minutes prior to kick-off. Hosts PSPS cancelled the friendly at the Riau Main Stadium after the local police had asked for 40 million Rupiahs for security fees in order for the match to proceed as planned, however the fall-out of the cancellation could cause problems that might jeopardize the Askyar Bertuah‘s preparations for the upcoming season.

Both PSPS and Kelantan were owned by the same person – Malaysian businessman Norizam Tukiman, who was famed for his Zamburger restaurant and hotel chains in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia as well as the UZ Food Berhad company that produces ready-to-cook meals. Dubbed “ZamSaham,” Norizam had planned for PSPS and Kelantan to play out a friendly match on June 12th as part of PSPS’ preparation for the upcoming Liga 2 season, as well as to ensure that Kelantan would remain competitive in the second half of the Liga Premier Malaysia season.

The Red Warriors are currently 2nd in the Malaysian second-tier, level on points with leaders Terengganu FC II but with two games in hand.

With tickets being sold online and the Riau Main Stadium ready to host the friendly, things look set and rosy until PSPS made the shocking announcement on their social media channels on the day of the match.

“The Pekanbaru police have requested 40 million Rupiahs for security fees for the PSPS-Kelantan match,” read out a statement on PSPS’ social media, “This morning, representatives of the PSPS management was called into the Pekanbaru regional police office in regards of security for today’s match. They asked us to pay 40 million Rupiahs for security fees. We regret why did they ask for this in such short notice, especially considering that we have obtained a permit to hold the match from them. As their request for security fees was baseless, we at PSPS have decided to object to this request.”

With the match being thrown into uncertainty, fans began filling in the Riau Main Stadium as both PSPS and Kelantan players warm themselves up for the match. However, minutes before kick-off, the PSPS management called off the match.

When asked about the 40 million Rupiahs security fee, Pekanbaru deputy police chief AKBP Henky Poerwanto denied that his forces had requested PSPS to pay said fees, stating that the Pekanbaru police had done their best to secure the match.

“We’ve stationed 460 personnel around the Riau Main Stadium to act as security for the match,” said AKBP Henky, as quoted from Kompas, “Until this very moment, we have never asked for PSPS to pay any security fees nor we have received any money from them.”

Things got even more chaotic when it was discovered that Norizam had tasked PSPS’ general manager in handling the understandably furious supporters before disappearing from sight, leaving the manager alone in issuing out apologies and refund promises to the masses. Players from both the PSPS and Kelantan camps even walked around the pitch, profusely apologizing to the angry supporters.

With no sign of Norizam apologizing personally for the fiasco, PSPS ultras took to social media to issue an ultimatum for the club’s management. Norizam must personally apologize to the PSPS supporters while the Pekanbaru police must investigate the 40 million Rupiahs security fee claim thoroughly. Norizam was also reminded of his duties as club owner, to sort out the club’s existing debt as well as to settle any outstanding wages. The Malaysian businessman was given 72 hours to resolve the ultras’ ultimatum, or they will occupy every one of Norizam’s business venture in Indonesia.

As of writing, the official PSPS Instagram account is posting their own clarification for the fiasco while as mentioned previously, the Pekanbaru police have vehemently denied any allegations of them asking for 40 million Rupiahs worth of security fees from PSPS. The Instagram account of the PSSI Riau Province association also had their say in the whole matter, denying a number of points that the PSPS official Instagram account has brought up.