SHOCKING: Indonesia bans player for life due to a horrific foul

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has just handed down one of the toughest punishments ever in Indonesian football after a brutal challenge that seriously injured an opponent and stirred widespread controversy.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) shocked the regional football community by issuing a lifetime ban on Hilmi Gimnastiar. The punishment came after a reckless, career-threatening tackle far beyond the bounds of fair play, during the East Java Championship. This is seen as a rare tough stance by PSSI to restore order.

The incident occurred during the match on January 5th between Putra Jaya Pasuruan and Perseta 1970 Tulungagung. In a contested moment, Gimnastiar suddenly launched himself, kicking directly into Firman Nugraha’s chest. The move stunned all spectators due to its severity, reminiscent of action movie fight scenes.

The consequences were extremely serious. Firman Nugraha collapsed on the field, clutching his chest in pain and had to be rushed to hospital. Witnesses reported that the victim suffered a severe chest injury requiring special medical attention. The kick was considered life-threatening to the fouled player.

The video capturing this horrifying moment quickly spread across Indonesian social media, triggering a wave of intense anger. Many opinions see this as a negative example of the violence problem on Indonesian football fields, forcing PSSI to take strong action to protect the sport’s image in the country.

According to Detik Sport, PSSI’s Disciplinary Committee unanimously agreed on a lifetime ban for Gimnastiar at all levels. The committee head, Mr. Umar Husin, emphasized a firm stance: “All athletes must be protected. The spirit of safeguarding athletes and all sports participants is clearly defined in Law No. 11 of 2022 combined with Law No. 3 of 2005 on national sports.”

Mr. Husin also sent a message warning all Indonesian players: “Therefore, we urge all Indonesian footballers, when playing, to always consider the safety of their fellow players.” This statement shows PSSI’s intention to use this case as a precedent to deter future misconduct.

Previously, Putra Jaya Pasuruan club immediately terminated Gimnastiar’s contract. Notably, the player’s agent defended him on social media, which sparked a fierce backlash from fans, forcing the club to take decisive action to avoid a reputational crisis.

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