Bahrain Football Association condemns unacceptable behavior by Indonesian fans

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: hussainm@newsobahrain.com

The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation following a wave of unacceptable behavior from Indonesian fans directed toward the Bahraini national team and the association itself.

This comes in the aftermath of Bahrain’s match against Indonesia in the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Digital Attacks and Online Harassment

In a statement, the BFA outlined the disturbing nature of the actions taken by Indonesian fans, which extended beyond the football field.

The association’s website, social media accounts, and electronic correspondence systems were targeted by a torrent of abusive comments, threats, and even hacking attempts.

The BFA emphasized that such actions have no place in sports, which are meant to unite people from different parts of the world, and strongly condemned the behavior that goes against the spirit of football.

In addition to the cyberattacks on the BFA, the personal social media accounts of Bahraini national team players and their fans were also flooded with offensive comments and threats.

The association highlighted its disappointment, noting that these actions do not reflect the values and principles of sportsmanship or the Islamic values of mutual respect. The BFA also expressed concerns for the safety of the team as they prepare for their away match against Indonesia in Jakarta.

Appeals to FIFA and AFC

In response to these threats, the BFA is taking swift action to ensure the safety of its players and staff.

The association has begun the process of addressing both FIFA and the AFC, formally notifying them of the online harassment and the threatening nature of the behavior they have been subjected to. As part of its efforts to protect the national team, the BFA will submit a request to relocate the upcoming match from Indonesia to a neutral venue, citing the safety of its players as a top priority.

The BFA reiterated its strong stance against this kind of conduct, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and sportsmanship in football.

The association expressed its extreme surprise at the multiple death threats received and called on governing bodies to address the situation urgently to uphold the integrity of the sport and the safety of all participants.