ULOG: 17 "Arema FC commented on their names in Italian media articles"

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Arema FC commented on their name in the Italian media Corriere dello Sport, which highlighted the violence and chaos of Indonesian football. Reporting from reporters, Arema FC said that the article was only unilateral because it had never asked for confirmation.

"This article is unilateral. It should be, they will confirm to us first about the data they write," said Arema FC General Manager Ruddy Widodo.

Previously, in his article entitled 'Violenza e corruzione in Indonesia: il calcio nel caos' or in Indonesian it means 'Violence and Corruption in Indonesia: Football in chaos', Corriere said that violence was still shadowing Indonesian football. This article was written Sunday (07/10) Italian time.

Corriere took the viewpoint of Persib Bandung coach, Mario Gomez, who said that Indonesia was a great place, but the situation in this country was never easy. Gomez said he had felt frightened when they travel to Arema FC in the first round of League 1.

Ruddy said that this incident was actually not what Gomez described. At that time, according to the 47-year-old manager, there were indeed supporters in the field. However, this is more because of disappointment at Arema's appearance in the match.

"They go to the field because they want to go to the Arema bench, not to the Persib bench," Ruddy said.

"Meanwhile, regarding the throws that had time for Gomez, this was a throw from the stands, which was a reaction to disappointment at Arema. I am sure the thrower accidentally targeted the coach," he added.

In addition to the issue of violence, Corriere also highlighted the poor governance of Indonesian football. Arema's name reappeared when it was named as one of the four clubs that took part in the competition, although their license was problematic. In addition to Arema, which in the article is called Arema Cromo, the other three clubs are Madura United, Persija Jakarta, and Bhayangja FC (Bhayangkara United).

Responding to this, Ruddy did not want to respond further. According to him, the fact is that Arema is currently playing in the highest level competition. "Maybe the source is invalid. Supposedly, as a journalist they are looking for a valid source," he concluded.