National Football Association

Illustration (Image courtesy of m_bartosch at FreeDigitalPhotos.net).

Jakarta, GIVnews.com – Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports is serious in its firm action on the Indonesian Soccer Association, PSSI, which has now been officially suspended for having “ignored and violated the government policy”.

The conflict has been escalating for weeks. The administrative sanction eventually came about after the PSSI ignored the three warning letters sent by the Ministry over the past week.

Through the letters, the Ministry has requested the PSSI to urge the troubled clubs of Arema Cronus and Persebaya Surabaya to fulfill the request made by the Professional Sports Body of Indonesia (BOPI). The PSSI was advised to ban the two clubs from participating in the Indonesian premier football league.

However, the two clubs still participate in the Indonesia Super League, despite their ineligibility due to ownership issues. As a result, the league was indefinitely suspended after its first round of matches.

The suspension letter was released on Friday night (17/4) and signed by Minister Imam Nachrawi, effectively pulling all official recognition of all activities supervised by the PSSI. As a result, the extraordinary congress that was held by the PSSI on Saturday (18/4) is not recognized, including all the decisions made during the congress.

According to the congress that was held in Surabaya this morning, La Nyalla Mattalitti is now the new PSSI Chairman for the 2015-2019 period. In the congress, La Nyalla received 92 out of 107 votes. On the other hands, three other candidates, Benhard Limbong, Muhammaf Zein, and Subardi did not receive any vote. Joko Driyono, Achsanul Qosasi and Djohar Arifin withdrew from the election before the voting. In addition to La Nyalla, two Deputy Chairmen and twelve executive committee members were appointed.

Meanwhile, a transition team that will manage soccer-related issues in Indonesia will be established, especially in consideration on the on-going preparation of the U-23 National Team for the 2015 SEA Games that will be held in May.

On government’s intervention, Indonesia may be on risk of receiving penalty from FIFA, the world soccer governing body. Last week, the General Secretary of FIFA Jermoe Valcke has sent a warning letter to Indonesia. Involvement of third parties would violate FIFA Statutes, which may lead to a sanction that sees Indonesia being banned from international soccer competition.