The family of Aburizal Bakrie, a 2014 presidential contender and chairman of the powerful Golkar party, helped fund and lead Indonesian soccer for years until 2011, when Mr. Panigoro backed the change that ushered in a new wave of soccer leaders, led by confidants from Medco.
Many fear a new wave of violence on March 9, when a court issues verdicts for more defendants in the soccer riot case, including several police officers.