By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Indonesian authorities are at loggerheads with FIFA over alleged government interference amid continuing uncertainty afflicting the domestic game.
FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke has written to the country’s sports minister Imam Nahrawi requesting the Indonesian Football Association, known by its Indonesian acronym PSSI, to manage its affairs “independently and without influence of any third parties”.
Indonesian football has been beset by off-the-field issues in recent years with both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation scrutinising poor management, corruption allegations, battles between rival footballing authorities and poor security at some matches.
Valcke’s letter dated April 10 accused the sport’s ministry of meddling by trying to prevent two clubs – Persebaya Surabaya and Arema Indonesia – from competing in the Indonesian Super League which was temporarily suspended after an already delayed start, in order to negotiate a deal with the government regarding the two clubs’ eligibility and ownership.
A sports ministry statement rejected any suggestion of government interference saying that it was merely complying and enforcing FIFA’s own club licensing regulations “without any hidden agenda”.
“FIFA’s statement is completely wrong, because the conditions are mandatory and are not additional criteria,” the statement added.
The Indonesian Professional Sports Agency (BOPI), sanctioned by the Youth and Sports Ministry, reportedly wanted Persebaya Surabaya and Arema Indonesia blocked from competing but the league and national association (PSSI) ignored the request.
The PSSI was warned of severe penalties if it didn’t relent, prompting the league to be halted and leading to FIFA’s letter to the Indonesian government which, in turn, warned of possible sanctions.
In many Asian and African countries, sporting and political administration are intertwined, making it difficult to separate the two. Firing back at FIFA, the BOPI said its letter was “an insult to Indonesia’s sovereignty.”
“FIFA should understand that besides FIFA regulation, there are also laws that are applied and must be complied by all national football related parties as part of the Indonesian big family,” the BOPI added.
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