OFFICIAL: AFC imposes penalty on Indonesia in Asian tournament

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has levied a monetary fine on the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) due to multiple breaches at the 2026 Asian Futsal Championship finals, even as the home team made a historic mark by finishing as the continental runner-up.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially imposed a disciplinary sanction on the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) after violations occurred duringthe 2026 Asian Futsal Championship finals. The decision was made by the AFC Disciplinary Committee on March 18, attracting significant attention from regional media.

Accordingly, PSSI was found to have committed two violations during the organization and management of the home tournament. The first breach relates to Article 53 of the AFC Code of Ethics and Conduct, resulting in a fine of 1,125 USD. Although specific details were not fully disclosed, this clause typically applies to actions that fail to meet organizational standards or proper conduct during competitions.

Additionally, PSSI was further penalized 1,500 USD for violating Article 15.2 of the AFC Competition Regulations. The cause stemmed from the final match between Indonesia and Iran not starting as scheduled, with the second half delayed by over 2 minutes. This is considered a basic organizational error that directly impacted the professionalism of the tournament.

In total, the amount PSSI must pay for the aforementioned two violations is 2,625 USD, approximately equivalent to 44.5 million rupiah. Notably, this is not the first time the host team has been penalized in this year's tournament, as AFC previously applied sanctions for four other violations, totaling up to 14,000 USD.

Despite facing disciplinary actions, the impressive journey of Indonesia's futsal team in this tournament cannot be overlooked. The island nation's squad performed exceptionally, topping Group A, then overcoming Vietnam in the quarter-finals and creating a major upset by defeating Japan in the semi-finals after extra time.

In the final, Indonesia delivered a thrilling score-chasing performance against Iran, drawing 5-5 after 120 minutes before losing 4-5 in the penalty shootout. Although unable to claim the championship, the Asian runner-up title still marks a historic milestone, affirming the strong progress of Indonesian futsal on the regional and continental map.