Persib Bandung failed to secure a win against Persik Kediri in week 16 of the Super League 2025/2026, ending in a 1-1 draw. Coach Bojan Hodak expressed dissatisfaction with referee Muhammad Tri's decisions and plans to file an official protest.
The match between Persib Bandung and Persik Kediri at Stadion Brawijaya on Monday, January 5, 2026, was intensely contested. Persib took a 1-0 lead through Saddil Ramdani's goal, but Persik equalized via M. Rafli in the dying minutes, resulting in a 1-1 draw. This dropped points left Persib stuck in third place in the temporary standings amid a tight title race.
Post-match, Persib coach Bojan Hodak did not hide his disappointment with the referee's performance. He highlighted several decisions he believed disadvantaged his team, disrupting their rhythm. "First, I will talk about the referee. I'm not satisfied with him," Hodak told reporters. According to him, certain fouls went unnoticed, hampering Persib's prepared game plan.
Hodak confirmed the club would send an official protest letter to the relevant authorities. "We will definitely send a letter. Because I don't know what to say. I can't talk about the referee, right? That's it. About the match, that's it," he added. However, he was cautious with further criticism to avoid sanctions from the PSSI Disciplinary Commission. "I can't because if I tell you, my salary will be cut. So I don't want that to happen," he said.
Hodak hopes for improvements in refereeing going forward so that match outcomes are decided by on-field performances, not controversial calls.
