AFC's envoy upset about Siliwangi stadium's condition
AFC's envoy upset about Siliwangi stadium's condition
BANDUNG (JP): The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warned Persib Bandung yesterday that visiting players would likely refuse to play unless the club upgraded facilities at Siliwangi stadium.
AFC envoy R.I. Indran said in a meeting with Persib following a visit yesterday to the Siliwangi stadium, the site of the Asian Championship League Group East quarterfinals at the end of this month, that players are allowed to strike if they are not satisfied with the facilities provided by a host.
Indran expressed his disappointment over the stadium's condition and the facilities available there. He said that neither the turf on the playing field, nor the players' locker rooms at the 30,000-seat stadium met international standards. Indran also criticized the lack of a press room at the stadium.
The Secretary-General of the All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI), Soeparjo Pontjowinoto, accompanied Indran during the one-day trip to the capital city of West Java.
The Malaysian envoy said AFC would give Persib time to upgrade the stadium.
"I'll be back here to look at what they have done," Indran said. He did not say when he would return to Bandung.
On Wednesday, AFC named Persib the host of the round-robin matches, scheduled for Nov. 26-Nov. 30. The Group East quarterfinals will see Persib, South Korean champion Ilhwa Chunma, Japan champion Verdy Kawasaki and Cup holder Thai Farmers in the fray. The top two teams will meet their counterparts from Group West in the semifinals.
Soeparjo had earlier suggested that Persib hold the quarterfinals at the Senayan stadium in Jakarta. The 32-year-old stadium has 110,000 seats, almost three times as many as Siliwangi.
Another PSSI official, Max Boboy, supported Persib's choice of the Silawangi stadium. "Persib are just facing minor problems. Everything is up to Persib now," Boboy said.
AFC plans to pay the host team US$50,000 in exchange for the TV rights. (pet/amd)