Bahrain Football Association Request that the away match against Indonesia be moved to a neutral venue

Recently, the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) issued an official statement on its social media, expressing concerns about safety ahead of the second-leg World Cup qualifier match in Indonesia, due to a barrage of online abuse and targeted attacks by Indonesian fans. The BFA is calling on the AFC to consider moving the match to a neutral venue.

Here is the full statement:

Over the past few days, the Bahrain Football Association has been closely monitoring the unacceptable and irresponsible behavior from Indonesian fans towards the BFA and Bahrain national team players. These actions have occurred following our national team's match against Indonesia in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers, and we deeply regret them.

The Bahrain Football Association would like to clarify the following points:

1. The BFA strongly condemns the irresponsible behavior of Indonesia's national team fans in cyberspace. The official website, social media accounts, and communication systems of the BFA have been inundated with insults, defamation, threats, and hacking attempts. This completely unacceptable behavior is contrary to the noble goals of sports, especially football, which aims to bring people together worldwide.

The offensive comments directed at the association's accounts and website, along with attacks on national team players and Bahrain fans, are in no way aligned with sportsmanship. The association expresses its dissatisfaction with this disturbing and unacceptable behavior, which is inconsistent with the principles, values, and religious norms of sport, and does not reflect the progress and development of any nation.

2. In light of the BFA's concerns, the association is highly focused on ensuring the safety of its members, especially the national team. Therefore, the association is preparing to submit reports to FIFA and the AFC, informing them of the unacceptable behavior the BFA has faced, and the defamatory and offensive attacks that may threaten the safety of the national team members, particularly during the upcoming away match against Indonesia in Jakarta. The association will request that the match be moved from Indonesia to ensure the safety of the national team, which is a top priority, especially given that both FIFA and the AFC prioritize the safety of participating teams.

3. The BFA is extremely shocked by the numerous death threats received by team members on their personal social media accounts. This behavior reflects a blatant disregard for human life. Such incidents are unprecedented in the sports arena and are completely at odds with the spirit of sports, which should foster mutual respect and appreciation between all parties involved. The association firmly rejects any situation where the lives of team members are at risk. The behavior of Indonesian fans is completely unacceptable and bears no connection to the true spirit of football.

Previously, the BFA had worked diligently with various national departments to facilitate the entry of Indonesian fans into Bahrain, supporting them in cheering for their national team. More than 2,000 Indonesian fans were able to attend the match, with the association simplifying entry procedures on match day and allocating appropriate seating to meet the standards and requirements of the qualifying matches.

Furthermore, the association reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards insulting comments, online attacks, and any form of threats. It will seek support from international organizations, human rights organizations, and journalist associations to witness the potential risks faced by the team, and to highlight how this hostile activity distorts the normal development of football and its globally recognized goal of promoting mutual respect and sportsmanship.