SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Bahrain Football Association’s social media accounts were hacked following their controversial match against Indonesia. The incident occurred after a heated World Cup Qualifier clash in Group C of the Asia Zone on Thursday, (10/10/2024), at the Bahrain National Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, but it was the late equalizer that sparked outrage.

Mohamed Marhoon’s 90+9-minute goal raised eyebrows, as only six minutes of added time had been announced. 

The additional time beyond the official six minutes led to accusations of unfair play, particularly from Indonesian fans, who flooded Bahrain’s social media with angry comments, claiming the refereeing was biased in favor of Bahrain.

In response to the online uproar, the Bahrain FA released a statement acknowledging the hacking. "Our social media and correspondence website became targets of repeated hacking attempts, resulting in breaches of several employees’ accounts," the statement read. 

The association also explained that the hacking disrupted their services, adding that they were working to prevent further cyberattacks.

The situation was exacerbated as not only the official FA accounts but also those of Bahraini national players were subjected to hacking and offensive comments.

The head of the IT department, Majdi Aldoseri, stated, “Our IT department is actively countering these hacking attempts and urges everyone involved to exercise caution.” He also emphasized the need for password changes and vigilance against suspicious links.

The match result and subsequent cyberattacks have placed Bahrain in the spotlight, with Indonesian fans voicing their frustration both on and off the field. 

Meanwhile, the Bahrain FA continues to deal with the aftermath of the controversy and restore the security of its digital platforms.

Writer: Fariz Ahmad Luthfi