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Supporting the improvement of venue infrastructure in Indonesia, world football governing body FIFA has announced the completion of an evaluation of eight stadiums across the country in collaboration with the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI).

Aiming to enhance venue safety and security, an expert FIFA delegation has visited and evaluated Sumatera Utara Main Stadium, Teladan Stadium, Patriot Stadium, Wibawa Mukti Stadium, Kanjuruhan Stadium, Delta Sidoarjo Stadium, Joko Samudro Stadium and Segiri Stadium as part of a Memorandum of Understanding between FIFA and PSSI.

Stadium safety and security were identified as key pillars for the transformation of Indonesian football when FIFA and the PSSI signed the MoU in November 2023 following the deaths of 135 people during incidents at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang Regency, East Java in October 2022.

In March 2023, two football officials were handed prison sentences for their role in the disaster.

Following the disaster, the PSSI worked with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to set up a taskforce to increase public security capacity.

As part of this initiative, a specialised FIFA team visited the venues between 20^th and 25^th May 2024, across four provinces - North Sumatra, West Java, East Java and East Kalimantan.

These stadiums in Indonesia are being renovated by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing and the visit was part of a larger series of inspections of these projects, which FIFA is supporting with its specialised knowledge and expertise through FIFA’s Stadium and Infrastructure consultant.

Following the visit, FIFA will now prepare an assessment report and give recommendations to the PSSI and local authorities. The FIFA delegation included the governing body’s Stadium and Infrastructure Consultant Benjamin Veenbrink and Regional Development Manager Karan Mirchandani.

Commenting on the visit, Mirchandani noted “our visit … underscores FIFA’s commitment to supporting the PSSI in transforming Indonesian football infrastructure. The tragic events of 2022 must drive us to ensure that all football fans can enjoy the sport in a safe and secure environment in stadiums.”

PSSI’s Adi Nugroho added “this support from FIFA based on early communication between the President of Republic Indonesia Joko Widodo, PSSI President Erick Thohir and FIFA President Gianni Infantino is crucial in our mission to rebuild and improve our stadiums.

“The memory of those we lost fuels our determination to create a safer future for all football enthusiasts.”

The visit included FIFA representatives presented a bouquet at Kanjuruhan Stadium, honouring the memory of those who perished and reaffirming FIFA’s commitment to ensuring such a tragedy never happens again.

Following the tragedy, the FIFA President had travelled to Jakarta in October 2022 to meet President Widodo and promised the country’s authorities that FIFA would support them throughout a comprehensive nationwide overhaul of stadium safety measures.

Last year saw Indonesia host a FIFA event for the first time as it staged the U17 World Cup.

The country had been due to stage the U20 World Cup earlier in the year but it was stripped of the tournament due to local disapproval of Israel’s participation.

FIFA's Football Stadium Guidelines aim to transfer stadium knowledge around the world and are intended for use by confederations and member associations, clubs, stakeholders such as municipal authorities, owners and architects, and licensing authorities.

Images: The FIFA delegation at Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi West, Java (top) the FIFA delegation pays respects at Kanjuruhan Stadium (middle) and tthe Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium (below). Credit: FIFA.

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