It is time for Indonesian soccer to change. (Image via Bola.net)

PSSI: Time for Indonesian supporters to leave violence

President of Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI), Mochamad “Iwan Bule” Iriawan, called for the Indonesian football supporters to abandon their hooliganism and violent clashes between supporter groups in the Liga 1 2020 commencement.

Giving speech for Liga 1 2020 commencement at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday, Mochmad hoped that football competition in Indonesia should bring forth unity, friendship, and brotherhood. The PSSI president reminded them that the theme for Liga 1 2020 is “We Are Family”.

Indonesia’s Minister of Youth and Sport, Zainudin Amali, also attended the ceremony to address Indonesia’s government appreciation for PSSI and PT PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) for succeeding in holding the highest level of football competition in Indonesia as planned.

Furthermore, Mochmad also hoped that Liga 1 2020 will yield promising football players in order to create a formidable Indonesian National Football team. Iwan Bule also revealed that Liga 1 2020 will begin earlier according to PSSI’s plan, holding 306 fixtures from 29 February to 31 October 2020.

Being punctual and following the plan of PSSI and PT LIB, Mochmad asserted that Liga 1 2020 will follow the instruction from the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), to create high quality, fair play-based, and thrilling entertainment for people across the archipelagic country.

A good football league will regain trust from both domestic and international communities which are important as Indonesia will be the host of the 2021 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Therefore, both players and officials are required to maintain sportiveness, professionalism, and fair play in every match. Amali said that no more score nor match-fixing, not only in Liga 1 but also in Liga 2 and 3.

The first Liga 1 fixture between Persebaya Surabaya and Persik Kediri had to end in 1-1 draw as Persik’s Gaspar Vega’s winning penalty is canceled by Persebaya’s Hansamu Yama’s header.

Source: https://bit.ly/39cNEwZ