Surmadji was banned from official duties for 20 matches across FIFA's system. In addition, he was fined 15,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to approximately 500 million VND.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee (FDC) determined that Surmadji assaulted a referee, violating Article 14.1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This occurred after the match at King Abdullah Stadium in Saudi Arabia on the evening of 11/10/2025. The decision followed a thorough investigation based on reports from the referee and match commissioner, as well as video and photographic evidence provided by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Indonesian team manager Surmadji strongly pushed referee Ma Ning after the 0-1 loss to Iraq in the second match of Group B, fourth round of World Cup 2026 Asian qualifiers, at King Abdullah Stadium, Saudi Arabia, on 12/10/2025.
Surmadji appealed the decision, but it was rejected.
The 0-1 defeat to Iraq eliminated Indonesia from World Cup 2026 contention. Many team members attributed the loss to unfavorable decisions by Chinese referee Ma Ning. After the match, they approached the head referee to question his calls. Television footage showed the referee subsequently issuing three red cards to the Indonesian team.
First, Ma Ning penalized substitute Shayne Pattynama when the defender was being restrained and escorted away by Iraq's coach Graham Arnold. Immediately, team manager Surmadji approached and forcefully pushed Ma Ning, his face showing intense anger, leading to his own red card.
Subsequently, the 46-year-old referee issued a similar penalty to Thom Haye. The midfielder also became agitated before being embraced and calmed by team captain and center-back Jay Idzes.
In his post-match report, referee Ma Ning wrote, "Red card for Indonesia's team manager, Surmadji, reason: violent conduct". The match commissioner's report stated, "Indonesia's team manager was dismissed for pushing the referee from behind".
In addition to Surmadji, two players of Dutch origin, Shayne Pattynama and Thom Haye, were suspended for their next 4 national team matches and fined 5,000 Swiss francs. The FDC also fined the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation 50,000 and 30,000 Swiss francs, respectively, for fans throwing objects onto the field during the match at King Abdullah on 11/10/2025.
In the 77th minute, Kevin Diks touched the ball first, causing Merchas Doski to swing his leg fully to clear it, but he missed and hit Diks instead. However, referee Ma Ning deemed Diks to have fouled first and awarded Iraq a free kick, leading to strong protests from Indonesian players.
Conversely, in a similar incident in the 86th minute, the Chinese referee issued a yellow card to Romeny for striking Tahseen, even though Romeny had restrained his leg. The anger of thousands of Indonesian fans in section B of King Abdullah Stadium erupted. They pointed and shouted at the referee, then threw numerous objects onto the field.
Referee Ma Ning had to run to section A to consult with the organizers. Team captain and center-back Jay Idzes went to the home supporters' section to calm them, waving his hands to signal them to stop throwing objects. Subsequently, he and his Indonesian teammates had to clear plastic bottles and cups from the sidelines so the match could resume.
Hieu Luong
