Persib Refuses to Play Against Persija in Bandung, Umuh Selects Bali as the Venue for the 2026 President's Cup Semifinal Match.

The 2026 President's Cup semi-final between Persib Bandung and Persija Jakarta is confirmed to be one of the most highly anticipated fixtures. However, ahead of the match, a question has left many members of the public curious: why is Persib Bandung Manager Umuh Muchtar pushing for this tie to be held in Bali, rather than Bandung which is Persib's official home ground?

Persib finished as Group A winners and holds the official right to host the match under tournament regulations. Despite this, Umuh maintains that the benefits of home advantage do not outweigh the security risks posed by the intense historic rivalry between the two clubs.

Umuh stated that Bali is the most suitable option, as the location is assessed to be safer while also eliminating travel disruption for Persib, who are currently running an extended training camp on the island.

"It will either be Medan or Bali. Even if the organisers decide on Solo, that will not be an issue for us. But Bali remains the better choice, since we will be continuing our training camp there. We are hoping it will be hosted in Bali, so we do not have to make unnecessary back and forth trips," Umuh commented on Sunday, 2 August 2026.

While logistical practicality forms part of the consideration, security risks remain the primary concern.

Umuh admitted he holds significant reservations about hosting the match in Solo. He noted that road travel for supporters returning home after the fixture carries known risks, with repeated incidents recorded following previous matches held in the region.

"Solo is not always a secure location for this fixture. Almost all of our team staff travel home by private vehicle, and the vast majority of Persib supporters also drive to matches. This is what worries us; there have consistently been security incidents on the roads following matches held in Solo or Yogyakarta in the past," he explained.

This statement makes clear that for Persib, a high-profile derby against Persija is not only about competition on the pitch, but also about protecting the safety of every person involved, above all the supporters.

Umuh has called on tournament organisers to deploy maximum security measures, referencing the standard of crowd management delivered for the 2014 President's Cup final held in Jakarta.

"Even now I still remember how Mr Tito, who was serving as Minister of Home Affairs at that time, oversaw that final. He showed exceptional responsibility and guaranteed full safety for Persib. No matter where this semi-final is held, security cannot be compromised. There must be no casualties," he stressed.

An official announcement confirming the semi-final venue will be made during a press conference at Surabaya City Hall. Regardless of the location that is ultimately selected, Umuh repeated that safety must be prioritised above any benefits of home ground status.