Persib’s Appeal Rejected by AFC, Club Still Faces Two Home Matches Behind Closed Doors and Hefty Fine
Persib Bandung’s appeal against sanctions imposed following crowd disturbances during the AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2) 2025/26 has been rejected. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) formally dismissed the club’s appeal in a decision numbered VVC 20260813AC02, dated August 13, 2026.
The decision upholds the sanctions originally imposed by the AFC in May 2026. The case stemmed from a series of serious violations during Persib’s home match against Ratchaburi FC in the ACL 2 Round of 16 at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium on February 18, 2026.
“Persib Bandung (IDN)’s appeal against Decision VVC 20260513DC13 is fully rejected,” the AFC stated in its official appeal decision.
In its ruling, the AFC found Persib fully responsible for the actions of its supporters under Article 65.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code. The club was also found to have violated Article 64.1 concerning match organization, as well as Article 35 of the AFC Safety and Security Regulations.
The violations highlighted by the AFC included unruly spectator behavior, such as the lighting of fireworks and flares, throwing foreign objects onto the pitch, damaging stadium seats, and acts of verbal and physical violence.
The AFC also identified failures in security procedures, including the Persib organizing committee’s failure to implement standard safety protocols. In addition, Persib failed to ensure that public access routes, corridors, stairways, doors, gates, and emergency evacuation routes remained clear of overcrowding.
As a result of these violations, the AFC ordered Persib to play two home matches behind closed doors, with the stadium fully closed to spectators. The sanction applies to the club’s next two home matches played in Indonesia in an AFC men’s club competition.
“If a similar violation occurs during the probationary period, the suspension of the sanction will be automatically revoked and the new sanction will be immediately enforced cumulatively,” the AFC stated.
In addition to the administrative sanction and stadium closure, Persib is required to pay a fine of USD 200,000, which must be settled within 30 days of the decision being notified. The club is also required to pay USD 1,000 in administrative costs related to the appeal proceedings.
