Thursday, 17 August 2023 – 07:30 WIB
Cianjur – Arema FC, one of the biggest football clubs in Indonesia, is reportedly planning to withdraw from the 2023/2024 League 1 competition.
The club, nicknamed Singo Crazy, is experiencing internal and external crises that threaten the survival of the club. One of the factors that sparked rumors of Arema FC’s departure was the Kanjuruhan tragedy, which occurred on January 29, 2023.
At that time, more than 130 people died as a result of being trampled and squashed while watching the match between Arema FC and Persebaya at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang.
This tragedy has caused deep sorrow for the entire Arema FC family, including the players, coaches, management and supporters.
Apart from that, Arema FC also faced legal and financial problems as a result of the tragedy. The club must pay fines and sanctions from the Indonesian football federation (PSSI) and the league operator (PT LIB), as well as face civil and criminal lawsuits from the victims’ families.
Arema FC is also having trouble finding a stadium to be its home ground, because it was rejected by various regions. In fact, this team bus was once stoned by unknown persons against PSS Sleman at the Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman.
