Djafar admits fault, accepts PSSI ban

Djafar admits fault, accepts PSSI ban

JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI)
referee committee's deputy chairman, Djafar Umar, has admitted
fault in being involved in collusion between referees and soccer
club officials.

"I admit fault and will accept the ban from PSSI. I will not
appeal the ban," Djafar said yesterday.

The federation banned Djafar 20 years for his involvement in
collusion and fired him through a letter dated Feb. 27. The
letter was signed by PSSI chairman Azwar Anas and secretary
Nugraha Besoes.

Djafar was allegedly found to be involved in collusion after
an investigative team, headed by Adang Ruchiyatna, received
information that Djafar had helped a number of clubs win several
competitions in the fourth Indonesian league matches.

Djafar has urged all referees and competition inspectors to
take heed of his case and learn from it.

"We should introspect and hope this does not happen again,"
Djafar said.

Djafar, 51, started his career as a referee in 1974 after
obtaining a C-3 certificate. In 1985 he received a FIFA
certificate and refereed in hundreds of local and overseas
competitions.

Leak

Federation spokesman Tondo Widodo said Sunday that PSSI had
not yet formally announced the ban on Djafar. But the termination
letter was leaked to the media.

Tondo, a member of the investigative team, added that PSSI
would punish other referees found to be involved in collusion.

The investigative team discovered five referees, including
owners of FIFA certificates, had been involved in collusion. Even
league club officials will not be excused if found guilty of
collusion with "mafia-style practices," Antara reported.

Asked whether the PSSI would take anyone to court with its
findings, Tondo said PSSI was still considering what action to
take.

"PSSI has not taken action against referees or any officials
involved in collusion. However, we have invited police detectives
as observers in the case so we'll know the legal aspects," Tondo
said.

State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport Hayono Isman said
Saturday he feared there was a possibility that Djafar did not
work alone and that somebody else may have helped him with the
collusion.

"I fear that Djafar did not act by himself and probably was
helped by somebody else. The most important thing is that cases
of collusion should be finalized completely," Hayono said.
(lnt)