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FIFA issued a fine of 50,000 Swiss francs (US$62,000) to PSSI for allowing fans to throw objects onto the pitch at King Abdullah Stadium on Oct. 11.
Dutch-born players Shayne Pattynama and Thom Haye were each fined 5,000 Swiss francs and handed four-match bans for their confrontational behavior toward referee Ma Ning.
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Indonesian players react to referee Ma Ning during their 0–1 loss to Iraq in the second match of Group B in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers, at King Abdullah Stadium in Saudi Arabia on Oct. 12, 2025, as shown in a screen capture. |
Tensions escalated in the 77th minute when Indonesian defender Kevin Diks appeared to play the ball first, causing Iraq’s Merchas Doski to swung and missed his clearance, striking Diks instead. Despite this, referee Ma Ning ruled a foul against Diks and awarded Iraq a free kick, triggering an angry response from the Indonesian players.
A second controversial moment occurred in the 86th minute. Ma Ning showed a yellow card to Romeny for accidentally kicking Iraq’s Tahseen, even though Romeny had slowed down to avoid contact. The referee’s decision angered thousands of Indonesian supporters in Stand B. Fans shouted, pointed at the referee, and began throwing objects onto the pitch.
As the situation intensified, Ma Ning moved toward Stand A to consult with match officials. Team captain Jay Idzes stepped in to calm the crowd, using hand gestures to urge fans to stop. Alongside his teammates, Idzes helped remove bottles and plastic cups from the field so the game could resume.
Head of the Indonesia national team Kombes Pol Surmadji pushed referee Ma Ning after the game and was given a red card.
Following the final whistle, several Indonesian players surrounded Ma Ning in protest. Television footage captured the referee issuing three red cards.
The first went to Shayne Pattynama, who was on the bench at the time. Iraq coach Graham Arnold had to restrain him. Moments later, Indonesia's team manager Kombes Pol Surmadji aggressively pushed the referee and was promptly sent off. The third red card was shown to Thom Haye, who lost his temper before being held back by captain Idzes.
The loss to Iraq, which followed a 2–3 defeat to Saudi Arabia, ended Indonesia’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Shortly afterward, PSSI dismissed head coach Patrick Kluivert and has yet to name a replacement.
