Oman condemns Indonesian fans for intimidating referee

"Oman Football Association condemns in the strongest terms the unprovoked attack and the use of threatening and intimidating language towards the Omani international referee Ahmed Al-Kaf and his assistants," the OFA stated in an announcement on Monday.

The OFA believes that Al Kaf did well by upholding the values expected of a FIFA referee. The federation stresses the Omani refereeing team have maintained professionalism, transparency, integrity, and impartiality of the highest levels according to international standards.

Referee Ahmed Al Kaf (4th, L) officiats the 2-2 draw between Indonesia and Bahrain at the 2026 World Cup qualification game on Oct. 10, 2024. Photo by PSSI

The incident occurred during Bahrain's home game against Indonesia in the third round of Group C on Oct. 10. The second half of the match saw six minutes of added time, with Indonesia leading 2-1, but referee Ahmed Al Kaf extended the game beyond the designated time. At 98 minutes and 40 seconds, Mohamed Marhoon scored the equalizer from a corner kick.

The match ended with fierce on-pitch reactions from Indonesia's coaching staff and players. The unrest culminated in team manager Sumardji receiving a direct red card and defender Shayne Pattynama nearly engaging in a brawl with a member of the home team. The officiating team were escorted off the field by security.

The Omani referee faced widespread mockery and harsh criticism on social media. Many fake accounts impersonating Ahmed Al Kaf were created to bait the angry crowds. Indonesian fans flooded the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s Instagram, Facebook, and X pages with criticism. The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) had to disable comments, and its website was repeatedly attacked by hackers.

"We urge FIFA and AFC to fulfill their responsibility to protect and ensure the safety of referees," the OFA said. "We are working in close coordination with the relevant authorities to achieve this goal."

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) announced that it had filed a complaint against the referee with FIFA and the AFC. While the match result could not be changed, PSSI President Erick Thohir wanted to speak out against injustice.

On Oct. 13, AFC Secretary General Datuk Windsor John stated that the AFC had yet to receive PSSI's complaint. However, PSSI Executive Committee member Arya Sinullinga claimed that the complaint had been sent three times. Team manager Sumardji submitted a direct complaint right after the match. The following day, PSSI sent it to FIFA, and on Oct. 12, another complaint was sent to both FIFA and AFC.

This was not the first time Indonesian football had expressed dissatisfaction with referees at the Asian level in 2024. In April, Indonesia protested against Tajikistan referee Nasrullo Kabirov for giving Ivar Jenner a red card in their 0-2 loss to Qatar in the group stage of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship. In May, Indonesia criticized French referee Francois Letexier for an unfair penalty call in the 0-1 loss to Guinea in the intercontinental playoff for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Indonesia face China away in the fourth round of Group C in the third qualifiers on Tuesday. Indonesia are currently in fifth place after three draws, above China, which have yet to earn any points.