The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) reports that after a contentious 2-2 draw between the teams of the two countries last week, Indonesian fans threatened the players’ lives online.
The BFA has requested that Fifa shift the return match to a location outside of Indonesia, although it is still planned to take place in Jakarta in March of next year.
Fifa and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) have not responded to Bahrain’s appeal in public.
Last Thursday, controversy broke out after Bahrain equalized Indonesia in the 99th minute, three minutes after their players thought the match was ended.
Indonesian players and staff erupted in protest over the goal; one of them had to be taken away from officials and dismissed.
The referee, Ahmed Al Kaf of Oman, was accused by Indonesia’s football organization of purposefully letting the game continue until Bahrain scored.
Referees usually announce how much extra time they will add to the contest to compensate for stoppages during play just before the regular 90-minute period ends.
Al Kaf signaled for an additional six minutes in this instance. After nine, Bahrain scored.
Although debatable, the game’s rules stipulate that extra time is merely a minimum and that referees have the authority to extend it if needed.
