Indonesia national team forward Ramadhan Sananta has officially been released by DPMM FC after a single season in the Malaysia Super League, fueling intense speculation about his potential move to Persebaya Surabaya. Amidst these burgeoning transfer rumors, Malaysian media has controversially reignited discussions surrounding Sananta’s infamous “horror red card” incident during a match against Sabah FC, an event that sparked significant debate at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Ramadhan Sananta‘s name surged back into headlines following DPMM FC‘s recent announcement regarding the players they would release for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old striker was prominently featured among the initial three names to be let go, alongside Brazilian goalkeeper Michel Americo and Najib Tarif, marking a significant shift for the Brunei Darussalam-based club. The decision was formally communicated via DPMM FC‘s official website on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Despite the release, the club extended its appreciation for Sananta’s contributions over the past season. “DPMM FC has released Ramadhan Sananta, and will also release Brazilian goalkeeper Michel Americo and Najib Tarif. Further player releases will be announced soon,” the club stated.
Persebaya Surabaya Rumors Intensify
Speculation linking Ramadhan Sananta to Persebaya Surabaya has gained considerable momentum, particularly given his strong connection with Portuguese coach Bernardo Tavares. Tavares previously mentored Sananta during their highly successful tenure at PSM Makassar, where they clinched the Liga 1 title in the 2022/2023 season. This partnership proved incredibly fruitful, with a then 20-year-old Sananta demonstrating his immense talent by scoring 11 goals and providing two assists under Tavares’ guidance. Many observers now believe that the close bond between the player and coach makes a reunion at Persebaya Surabaya a distinct possibility.
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While Sananta‘s performance at DPMM FC might not have been as explosive as his impactful stint with PSM Makassar, his invaluable experience playing abroad is considered a crucial asset for re-establishing himself in the Super League. According to Transfermarkt, Sananta participated in 27 matches across all domestic competitions for DPMM FC this season, netting four goals and providing two assists. Intriguingly, DPMM FC has indicated that the door is not entirely closed on the promising young player. The club acknowledges Sananta‘s youthful age and significant potential for further development in the coming years. “The club extends its gratitude for his services to DPMM FC, and perhaps in the future, DPMM will continue to monitor his progress playing elsewhere, and possibly in a few years, as he is still young, DPMM may re-sign him if he develops well,” stated the club.
Malaysian Media Highlights “Horror Red Card” Incident
Amidst the swirling transfer rumors, Malaysian media has controversially redirected its attention to Ramadhan Sananta‘s infamous red card incident during DPMM FC‘s clash against Sabah FC. This particular moment has been widely characterized as one of the season’s most severe incidents involving an Indonesian player in the Malaysia Super League. The dramatic event unfolded just 16 minutes into the match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan. While attempting to challenge for the ball, Sananta‘s leg was raised excessively high, making direct contact with the head of Sabah FC striker Darren Lok. Malaysian media outlets reported that the referee made an immediate and decisive call, brandishing a straight red card for Sananta following the forceful collision. “This situation prompted the referee to unhesitatingly issue a red card to Ramadhan for what occurred,” reported Malaysian media outlet Makan Bola, accompanied by a clip from Astro Arena‘s live broadcast.
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The impact necessitated immediate medical attention on the pitch for Darren Lok. Fortunately, the Harimau Malaya striker was able to continue the match after receiving treatment, averting a potentially worse outcome. However, the incident left DPMM FC in a precarious position, forced to play with ten men from the early stages of the game. Coach Jamie McAllister opted not to make any significant changes until the end of the first half, highlighting the challenge faced by his squad. The intensity of the red card incident sparked widespread debate across Malaysian social media, with some users defending Sananta‘s action as a genuine contest for the ball, while others condemned it as overly dangerous.
Ramadhan Sananta’s Statistics with DPMM FC
Ramadhan Sananta‘s inaugural season with DPMM FC proved to be a mixed bag, with the Indonesia national team forward struggling at times to find consistent form in the competitive Malaysia Super League. Official statistics reveal that Sananta made 21 appearances for DPMM FC, contributing two goals and one assist. Furthermore, he accumulated one yellow card and one red card over a total of 1,389 minutes played. These figures, understandably, did not quite meet the high expectations of some DPMM FC supporters, especially considering Sananta arrived with a formidable reputation established by his prolific performances for both the Indonesia national team and PSM Makassar. Nevertheless, his youth remains a significant advantage, offering ample opportunity for further development. The experience garnered from playing in Malaysia is seen as crucial for shaping his mentality and maturity as a potential key striker for the Indonesia national team. As Ramadhan Sananta‘s future hangs in the balance following his official release from DPMM FC, Persebaya Surabaya has emerged as the strongest contender to become the striker’s next destination.
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Should these transfer rumors materialize, the upcoming Super League season is poised to be even more electrifying. A potential reunion between Sananta and Bernardo Tavares would undoubtedly rank among the most exciting transfers eagerly anticipated by the “Green Force” supporters.
Summary
Ramadhan Sananta telah resmi dilepas oleh DPMM FC setelah satu musim di Malaysia Super League, memicu spekulasi intens tentang potensi kepindahannya ke Persebaya Surabaya. Rumor ini semakin kuat mengingat koneksi eratnya dengan pelatih asal Portugal, Bernardo Tavares, yang sebelumnya membimbing Sananta meraih gelar Liga 1 bersama PSM Makassar.
Di tengah rumor transfer, media Malaysia justru kembali menyoroti insiden kartu merah “horor” Sananta saat melawan Sabah FC, di mana kakinya mengenai kepala striker Darren Lok. Meskipun performa Sananta di DPMM FC cukup beragam dengan catatan 2 gol dan 1 assist dalam 21 penampilan, klub tetap menyampaikan terima kasih atas kontribusinya dan tidak menutup kemungkinan untuk merekrutnya kembali di masa depan karena usianya yang masih muda.