PSSI Must Fulfill its Promises to Improve

The public still awaits the PSSI to realize its commitment to transform national football. Although Indonesia avoided harsh sanctions, losing FIFA Forward funds is still a loss for the PSSI.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A symbol of love is formed around a poster supporting the U-20 football team when hundreds of Indonesian football fans take part in the 1000 Candles Action and a Joint Prayer for the Indonesian U-20 Team "Save the Future of Indonesian Football" at Gedung Joang 45, Jakarta, Tuesday (4/4/2023 ). The action held by the Football Movement for the People (GSR) is a movement concerned with the cancellation of the Indonesian U-20 Team's participation in the U-20 World Cup.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – FIFA administrative sanctions on the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) shows that national football management still has a long way to go. PSSI management for the 2023-2027 period under the leadership of Erick Thohir must exert all efforts to fulfill its aim to improve football as a whole.

PSSI chairman Erick Thohir said FIFA gave the PSSI a yellow card in the form of an administrative sanction by freezing the FIFA Forward 3.0 program funds for the 2023-2025 period. The sanction briefly raised concerns from the PSSI and the Indonesian government over freezing the country’s FIFA membership, which would make domestic competitions impossible and would bar the Indonesian national team from partaking in international tournaments.