The rush to flee being crushed as police lose management at an Indonesian soccer match felt grimly acquainted for Simon McMenemy.
For the final decade, the Scotsman has contended with the heated and harmful expertise of teaching in Indonesia – together with as supervisor of the nationwide crew.
Speaking to Sky News from the southeast Asian nation, he mentioned: “The supporters here are the best thing and the worst thing about football in this country, without a shadow of a doubt. They make stadiums electric when they’re great. They’re incredible.
“But once they’re dangerous it invokes a response – it causes a ripple impact. And, as we have seen final night time, that may have devastating outcomes.”
At least 125 folks have been killed within the violence that flared on Saturday night time at Kanjuruhan Stadium after Arema FC misplaced to Persebaya Surabaya for the primary time at house in 23 years.
Thousands of Arema supporters invaded the pitch and threw bottles and different missiles at gamers and officers. The mayhem, with tear fuel being deployed by police, led to followers being trampled to loss of life in Malang, East Java.
McMenemy, who’s at the moment technical director at Bhayangkara FC in West Java, hopes the size of the tragedy results in motion to stop additional tragedies.
“I don’t think it can be swept under the carpet,” he mentioned. “In the past, possibly it has not been looked at sufficiently. Arguably, more could have been done.”
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has ordered an investigation of safety procedures at soccer.
A spotlight will probably be on the police response that “seemed quite heavy-handed” to McMenemy.
He mentioned: “They’re going to have to sit down and really have a good look at what’s happened here and why it happens, how it happens, and how we can make sure it never happens again.”
The ardour of followers that makes working in Indonesian soccer so interesting to a overseas coach like McMenemy can overstep the mark requiring a crackdown.
Teams use armoured automobiles for journey to and from stadiums
He recalled: “I’ve experienced a lot of situations where I feel – what is going on here, why is this not being dealt with? I’ve been held under armed guard in the centre circle with these riots going on around us.
“I’ve had a full-on pitch invasion the place I’ve gone over to the opposite bench to shake arms, and I’ve obtained caught on that bench by all of the followers which can be getting on the crew’s supervisor that we’ve got simply beat.”
That’s why teams often have to use armoured vehicles for travelling in and out of stadiums.
But McMenemy has no plans to depart Indonesia.
“It seems strange to say, but I don’t ever feel in danger. I’m a guy doing a job,” he mentioned.
“I don’t ever feel worried. But when you step out of that bubble, when you look back on it, you think, well, that could have gone any way.”
Source: information.sky.com”