Indonesian footballer Muhammad Hilmi Gimnastiar has been handed a lifetime ban from the sport by the Indonesian Football Disciplinary Committee. This severe penalty follows a shocking incident during a match where Gimnastiar intentionally kicked an opponent in the chest, an act that resulted in the opponent requiring immediate hospitalization.
The egregious act, which has been widely condemned across the football community, is being regarded as one of the most severe clashes witnessed in Indonesian football history. The incident occurred during a fourth-tier league match between PS Putra Jaya Pasuruan, Gimnastiar’s team, and Perseta 1970.
Eyewitness accounts describe Gimnastiar aggressively jumping towards his opponent and making direct contact with the player’s chest, causing the victim to collapse instantly on the field. Medical personnel promptly attended to the injured player, who was subsequently rushed to the hospital for urgent treatment.
The altercation unfolded during a game where PS Putra Jaya Pasuruan held a significant 4-0 lead over Perseta 1970. This considerable advantage may have contributed to a loss of composure by Hilmi Gimnastiar, leading to the violent outburst rather than focusing on the flow of the game.
Immediately following the assault, Gimnastiar was issued a red card. However, the Indonesian Football Disciplinary Committee later convened to deliberate on the incident, ultimately imposing the maximum penalty: a lifetime ban from all football activities. In addition to the ban, Gimnastiar was also fined $150.
Further repercussions for Gimnastiar extended beyond the league’s disciplinary measures. His club, Putra Jaya Pasuruan, swiftly terminated his contract prior to its expiration. Demonstrating a commitment to sportsmanship and expressing remorse for the incident, the club also issued an official apology to Perseta 1970 for the reprehensible actions of their player.
