Govt Ready to Lift PSSI Suspension, Demands New Leadership
Jakarta. President Joko Widodo has instructed Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi to formulate plans to reverse the suspension of the country's beleaguered football association, a move that could potentially see Indonesia compete on an international level once more.
Joko summoned the minister to the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday evening (24/02) following a last week's meeting between Indonesian officials, the world football governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation in Kuala Lumpur.
The government-sanctioned Indonesian Professional Sports Agency (BOPI) took control of the country's football from the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), which was accused of ignoring club-ownership violations, corruption allegations, delayed payment of players' salaries and prolonged infighting.
The takeover did not sit too well with FIFA, who saw it as an intervention.
The world football governing body suspended Indonesia in May, which means the country's teams will be ineligible to compete at the regional and international stage. Imam told reporters that the government is planning to restore the PSSI's control over Indonesian football – which also resulted in the suspension of Indonesia's domestic league – only if the PSSI agrees to stage an extraordinary congress to elect a new leadership.
"If the [PSSI's] suspension is to be revoked, there must be some requirements for reforms. The president is really keen on these requirements. [The PSSI] must share the same vision with the government," the minister said. "The government only wants [Indonesia] to have a truly professional sporting body, which honors and abides by FIFA's statutes. They [PSSI] must be transparent about taxes, players' salaries and other standards [set by FIFA]. I guess this is something FIFA would also like to see and the federation [PSSI] and the clubs must meet [these requirements]."
Ministry spokesman Gatot Dewa Broto said PSSI reform committee chief Agum Gumelar, who also came to Wednesday's meeting at the State Palace, had also agreed to the government's terms, including the requirement to stage an extraordinary congress.
"Agum requested a year [to prepare for the congress]. But the minister wants it by six months or even sooner," he said.
Agum confirmed that the PSSI is ready to stage an extraordinary congress as the government mandated "as long as [the congress] is in line with the FIFA statute."
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