Footballers score five own goals in dodgy Indonesian second-tier match
Two Indonesian Premier Division clubs are being investigated for trying to throw a match that saw five own goals scored.
Group N leaders PSS Sleman and PSIS Semarang were squaring off in the final match of their group in the third round of Indonesia's second tier when the farcical scenes took place in what is coming to be known as the "elephant football" scandal.
Footage has emerged on YouTube showing both teams reluctant to compete in a match that would decide the group winner, who would in turn have to face Group P runners-up Pusamania Borneo FC - a team that allegedly has links with the Indonesian mafia - in the semi-final stage.
Both sets of players could be seen strolling around the pitch and passing the ball between themselves, with the goalkeepers making no attempt to stop the goal-bound kicks of their teammates from rolling into the back of the net.
PSS eventually won the match 3-2.
The disgraceful scenes have prompted the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to launch a probe into the matter, promising to punish those involved.
Hinca Pandjaitan, who is heading the PSSI disciplinary commission tasked to examine the case, told The Java Post: "We will make sure we punish the actors who scored an own goal.
"The perpetrators and those who engage in this should be pulled from Indonesian football."
Both teams denied any wrongdoing on their part and blamed the other for starting the farce.
More videos of the "elephant football" match below:
Sources: YouTube via 101GreatGoals, Jawa Pos (in Bahasa Indonesia)
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