Viking Persib Club Puts ‘Viking-Bonek Brotherhood’ Slogan on Hold After Surabaya Incident

Viking Persib Club, one of the largest supporter groups of Persib Bandung, has decided to temporarily suspend the slogan “Viking-Bonek Satu Hati.” The decision came after an attack involving individuals believed to be supporters in Surabaya, which strained the long-standing friendly relationship between the Persib and Persebaya fan communities. The move reflects growing concern within the organization about the recent tensions.

The situation unfolded around Persib Bandung’s away match against Persebaya in the 24th week of the 2025/2026 Super League season. The match at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium on March 2 ended in a 2–2 draw, but attention soon shifted away from the game itself. Chants mocking the visiting supporters echoed inside the stadium and later spread widely across social media, signaling that the once-harmonious bond between the two fan bases had begun to deteriorate.

The tension escalated when representatives of Viking Persib Club who were visiting Surabaya to maintain friendly ties with Bonek supporters became victims of an attack. According to the organization, the visit was meant to honor a message from their late former leader, Ayi Beutik, who had long encouraged supporters from Bandung and Surabaya to preserve their brotherhood and mutual respect.

Viking Persib Club strongly condemned the violence that occurred during the incident. The attack reportedly caused injuries and financial losses, including the disappearance of personal belongings such as a phone, clothing, shoes, and work-related funds belonging to one of their members in Surabaya. The organization also highlighted acts of intimidation, vandalism, and aggressive behavior that accompanied the incident, describing them as unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of football supporters.

Considering the recent developments, the group decided to distance itself from Persebaya’s supporters for the time being and suspend the symbolic slogan that once represented unity between the two communities. Viking Persib Club emphasized that rivalry in football should remain limited to the match itself and should never justify violence outside the stadium. The organization hopes that taking a step back will allow all sides to reflect on the values that once defined the relationship between the supporters.