2010; 14 years ago (2010), as Persebaya (DU)[1] 2016; 8 years ago (2016), as Bhayangkara FC
2023; 1 year ago (2023), as Bhayangkara Presisi Indonesia FC
Bhayangkara Presisi Indonesia Football Club, simply known as Bhayangkara Presisi, is an Indonesian professional football club based in South Jakarta. The club is linked to the Indonesian National Police. The name of the club is based on a police rank. They have won the Liga 1 title in 2017. They play in Liga 2 for the 2024–25, season following relegation in the 2023–24 Liga 1.[2]
History
Persebaya offspring (2010–2016)
Bhayangkara FC was a by-product of internal conflict in one of Indonesia's oldest clubs, Persebaya Surabaya. As the conflict was peaking in 2010, a rebel faction acquired Persikubar West Kutai, a second-tier club based in West Kutai on Borneo, following the decision of the main faction to pull Persebaya out of the Indonesian Super League (ISL) and register it for the inaugural season of the Indonesian Premier League (IPL). The rebel faction renamed Persikubar into Persebaya and moved its base to Surabaya, so that the latter could still have a representation in the 2011 season of ISL, albeit in its second-tier.[citation needed]
When the Persebaya DU team managed to win promotion into the top-tier of ISL in 2013, the naming issue became a legal battle as another Persebaya was playing in the top-tier of IPL. In a span of a year (August 2015 to September 2016), this team changed names four times in order to circumvent legal challenges from different parties, including the notorious Persebaya supporters known as Bonek. In April 2016, the team known at that time as Surabaya United, merged with PS Polri, the amateur club of the Indonesian National Police, to obtain legal backing and create Bhayangkara Surabaya United.[3][4]
A police team (2016–present)
On 10 September 2016, the Indonesian National Police became the main operator of the club and renamed it into its current identification, Bhayangkara FC. Bhayangkara itself is a nickname for the Indonesian police, deriving from the name of the guardians of the ancient kingdom of Majapahit. In November 2020, the club moved its base to Surakarta after failing to win support from football fans in the national capital, already loyal to one of the most popular club in the country, Persija Jakarta. They then planned to change its name to Bhayangkara Solo. However, the renaming plan was canceled.[5]
First national trophy
In 2017, Bhayangkara FC won the 2017 Liga 1 championship on a head-to-head decision, which was seen as controversial by football fans nationwide who preferred the runner-up Bali United, which had collected the same number of points. While the procedure was legal, fans considered Bhayangkara as an elitist creation, with no popular support, while Bali United had won the hearts of the people in Bali.[6] Despite the championship, Bhayangkara FC was unable to compete in the 2018 AFC Champions League, and the AFC Champions League spot went to Bali United.[7]
Decline and relegation
After winning the 2017 season, Bhayangkara had managed to finish mostly in the top five of the league table for three consecutive seasons. However, in the 2022–23 season, they only managed to finish seventh.
Unfortunately, their rescue mission went short in matchday 32, as relegation contender Persita Tangerang drew 1–1 against Persik Kediri. Their fate was sealed further after a 1–2 loss agaunst Bali United.[8]
Colours and badges
Bhayangkara FC's main colour is gold, which is associated with the golden badge of police officers. The golden badge is also clearly included at the top section of its logo.
Bhayangkara's supporters are called Bhara Mania, majority of them linked to the Indonesian National Police.[15][16]
Sponsorship
The club is financially supported by a company owned by the police's traffic division. Sometimes, it can win external sponsorship but from state-owned enterprises, such as Bank BNI.[17]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
