BANDUNG, Indonesia – Thom Haye has departed Persib Bandung following his omission from the Indonesian national team squad for the upcoming FIFA Series 2026, as confirmed by club officials. The midfielder has returned to the Netherlands to be with his family.
The situation unfolds as Persib Bandung prepared for a rescheduled Week 21 match in the 2025-2026 Super League, slated for Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Segiri Stadium in Samarinda. Haye’s absence was noticeable during Wednesday evening’s training session at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium, where the majority of the team participated in recovery drills following their recent match against Persik Kediri.
Persib Bandung coach Bojan Hodak explained that the training session focused on recovery, with all players present except for Sergio Castel, who is still experiencing minor discomfort. Hodak also confirmed Haye’s absence from the upcoming match, citing an accumulation of yellow cards. “Only one player cannot play, Thom (Haye), because of yellow cards,” Hodak stated.
Haye has accumulated four yellow cards this season, triggering the suspension for the match against Borneo FC, which was a rescheduled fixture. However, the situation is complicated by his recent exclusion from the national team setup.
The Indonesian national team, now under the leadership of John Herdman, announced its preliminary 41-man squad for the FIFA Series 2026 without Haye’s name included. This decision stems from a ban imposed by FIFA following Haye’s conduct during a World Cup qualifying match against Iraq in October 2025. According to FIFA, Haye displayed unsportsmanlike behavior towards match officials both during and after the game, resulting in a four-match international ban and a fine of 5,000 Swiss Francs (approximately Rp103 million).
Shayne Pattynama, another player currently with Persija Jakarta, received the same sanction for similar behavior during the same match. Both players received red cards after the final whistle for vehemently protesting the referee’s decisions. The team manager, Sumardji, was also issued a red card during the incident.
Hodak granted Haye permission to travel back to the Netherlands to be with his wife and newborn son. With the Indonesian league pausing for Lebaran and the FIFA Matchday, Hodak felt it was an appropriate time for the player to attend to personal matters. “We will enter a holiday period, so I let him move, because we all know he just had a baby boy,” Hodak said.
The absence of Thom Haye is a significant loss for the Indonesian national team. Since making his debut in March 2024 against Vietnam, Haye has develop into a key figure in midfield, earning 17 caps and contributing two goals and two assists. His creativity and passing range will be missed during the FIFA Series matches against Saint Kitts and Nevis on March 27th and either Bulgaria or the Solomon Islands on March 30th.
Despite not participating in team training, Hodak has designed a personalized training program for Haye to maintain his fitness during his time away. The coach emphasized the importance of Haye remaining in shape for future matches with Persib Bandung.
The situation highlights the challenges facing the Indonesian national team as they prepare for crucial international fixtures. Herdman will need to find a suitable replacement for Haye in midfield, a position where the player has proven to be a vital component of the team’s strategy. Nathan Tjoe-A-On has been suggested by some as a potential replacement, though no official decision has been made.
For Persib Bandung, Haye’s departure, even temporary, presents a tactical adjustment. The team will need to rely on other midfielders, such as Marc Klok and Eliano Reijnders, to fill the void left by the Dutch-born player. The club will also be looking to Beckham Putra to step up and contribute more in midfield.
The club confirmed that Klok, Reijnders, and Putra will be available for selection despite the national team call-ups, providing some stability to the squad. However, the loss of Haye’s influence will undoubtedly be felt as Persib Bandung continues its campaign in the Super League.
The Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) and coach Herdman have yet to comment further on the Haye situation, but the focus now shifts to identifying a replacement and preparing the team for the upcoming FIFA Series matches. The matches represent a crucial opportunity for Indonesia to test its squad and build momentum ahead of future World Cup qualifying campaigns.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Thom Haye is his return to Persib Bandung training following the Lebaran holiday and FIFA Matchday. His availability for future league matches will depend on his fitness and the team’s performance in his absence.
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