PSSI Referees Committee Confirms Dewa United Goal Against Persib Was Valid Despite Ball Out Claims

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The PSSI Referees Committee has officially confirmed that the first goal scored by Dewa United FC against Persib Bandung in their Super League 2025/26 match was valid, despite widespread claims that the ball had gone out of play before the goal was scored. The committee’s statement, issued on April 23, 2026, upheld the on-field decision after a thorough review of the incident, emphasizing that match officials must maintain the original call when they are not 100 percent certain the ball has left the field.

The controversial moment occurred in the 24th minute of the match held at Banten International Stadium in Serang, Banten, on April 20, 2026. Alexis Messidoro of Dewa United chased a ball that appeared to have crossed the touchline before passing it to Alex Martins, who finished the play to deliver Dewa United a 1-0 lead. Persib players protested vehemently, believing the ball had gone out, but the referee allowed the goal to stand after consulting with his assistant.

Committee Upholds Referee’s Decision Based on Assistant’s Input

Yoshimi Ogawa, Chairman of the PSSI Referees Committee, stated that the referee made the correct call based on information received from the assistant referee. According to Ogawa, the assistant referee did not signal that the ball had gone out of play, and from the referee’s position, it was difficult or even impossible to determine with certainty whether the ball had fully left the field.

“In this situation, the assistant referee did not give a signal for the ball going out by raising the flag. From the referee’s position, it was very difficult or even impossible to know whether the ball had already gone out or was still in play. The referee asked the assistant referee,” Ogawa said during a Referee Workshop for Media at the PSSI Secretariat in GBK Arena, Jakarta, on April 23, 2026.

Ogawa further explained the principle guiding match officials: if there is any doubt, play must continue. “The principle always emphasized to referees is, if not sure, then the game must continue,” he added. This approach aligns with the Laws of the Game, which require officials to be absolutely certain before making a call that stops play.

No VAR Intervention Due to Lack of Conclusive Evidence

Although the match was not equipped with goal-line technology or a full VAR system, Ogawa noted that even if VAR had been available, it would not have overturned the decision without clear and conclusive evidence. “If VAR does not find 100 percent proof that the ball went out or went in, then the initial decision must stand,” he stated.

This position reflects the standard protocol in football officiating: when evidence is inconclusive, the original on-field decision is preserved. The committee stressed that referees and assistant referees must only signal when they are fully confident in their judgment, particularly in fast-moving situations where sightlines can be obstructed by players, goalposts, or other elements on the field.

Second Goal Also Deemed Valid After Review

The Referees Committee also reviewed Dewa United’s second goal, scored by Ricky Kambuaya, and confirmed it was valid as well. The 2-2 draw stood after Thom Haye and Andrew Jung scored for Persib Bandung. Both goals were scrutinized due to their proximity to potential out-of-play situations, but the committee found no grounds to overturn either decision.

The match, part of Matchweek 28 of the Super League 2025/26 season, ended in a draw that had implications for both teams’ positioning in the league table. Dewa United, who had led twice, were held to a share of the points, while Persib avoided defeat despite the controversy.

Officials Call for Improved Technology and Positioning

In his remarks, Ogawa acknowledged the challenges faced by match officials, particularly in leagues where advanced technology like camera-based goal-line systems or VAR is not uniformly available. He reiterated the committee’s stance that officials must always strive to obtain the best possible position to make accurate judgments, but when visibility is compromised, the benefit of the doubt goes to keeping the ball in play.

“If the referee or assistant referee has already tried to get into the best position and witness the situation, if they are 100 percent sure the ball went out, then they must signal,” Ogawa said. “But if not 100 percent sure, the decision on the field must be maintained.”

The incident has sparked renewed discussion about the need for better technological assistance in Indonesian football, particularly in matches where contentious moments can influence league outcomes. While the PSSI has not announced immediate plans to implement VAR across all Super League matches, the Referees Committee continues to advocate for improved training and positioning protocols for match officials.

Match Summary and Context

Dewa United FC and Persib Bandung played to a 2-2 draw on April 20, 2026, at Banten International Stadium in Banten Province. The match was part of the 2025/26 BRI Super League season. Alex Martins opened the scoring for Dewa United in the 24th minute, followed by Ricky Kambuaya’s goal later in the first half. Persib responded through Thom Haye and Andrew Jung in the second half to secure the draw.

The result left both teams with one point each from the match. Dewa United had entered the game aiming to strengthen their position in the upper half of the table, while Persib sought to avoid dropping points in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

What’s Next for Both Teams

Dewa United FC are scheduled to play their next match against Persija Jakarta on April 27, 2026, at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. Persib Bandung will face Barito Putera on April 28, 2026, at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, West Java. Both matches are part of Matchweek 29 of the Super League 2025/26 season.

The PSSI Referees Committee has not announced any additional sanctions or reviews related to the Dewa United-Persib match. The committee’s statement serves as the final word on the validity of the goals scored in that encounter.

For ongoing updates on the Super League 2025/26 season and referee decisions, fans are encouraged to follow official PSSI channels and licensed broadcast partners.

Share your thoughts on the match and the referee’s decision in the comments below. What do you think about the standard used to judge whether the ball is out of play? Let us know.