Misconduct reports checked by PSSI

JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) has received a report saying that several referees in the regions had transferred money to the bank account of one of the federation's officer's here.

Amran YS, the federation's referees commission chief, said in Medan on Wednesday that he did not deny the report but he had heard the referees had transferred the money so that they would have more opportunities to officiate at competitions and so they could be promoted to being FIFA referees.

"I don't want to deny the report. I personally came to Medan and interrogated a number of the referees. They admitted they had transferred the money but said it was not used negatively. Their excuse was that it would be used to buy referee outfits for themselves," Amran said as quoted by Kompas.

M. Umar, the North Sumatra referee corps chief, acknowledged that Amran had talked to some of the referees in question. But Umar did not want to elaborate on what was discussed.

"If it is true that there was collusion among the referees, we will certainly take action," Umar said.

Tondo Widodo, PSSI spokesman, said here the federation had asked Persikab Bandung's manager Endang Sobarna to submit a report on the fixing of matches by a certain referee.

Endang has been asked to PSSI's office today to submit his report to Nugraha Besoes, the federation's secretary.

Endang has also been asked to approach PSSI to clarify the report before a "special team" next Monday.

The team will consist of Nugraha, Adang Ruchiatna (head of the evaluation section), Amran, Azhar Suryobroto (head of the discipline committee) and Minang Warman (head of the legal section).

Endang became the focus of attention after he disclosed that several referees had attempted to sell their services to him to help win matches in the Indonesian fourth league competition.

Endang reported it to a meeting here last Thursday of PSSI executives and league club managers.

Tondo said that if Endang could prove a transaction had been made by the referees, they would certainly face sanctions.

"PSSI chairman Azwar Anas has outlined that anyone involved in this type of collusion must be fired. This also includes PSSI officials involved. There is a possibility that they could be taken to court," he said.

Amran said he had talked to Endang and Dadi Sabari, also from Persikab. Endang and Dadi said that a referee from West Java whose initials were Nas had approached them three times at a hotel in Bandung.

Nas told Endang and Dadi that he could arrange for Persikab to make it into the league's 12th round if they gave him Rp 12 million plus Rp 2 million for each game. Persikab turned down the offer.

"Maybe it is because Endang and Dadi refused the offer that in every fourth league match Persikab is faulted by the referees. That is why Persikab has protested the referees' decisions," Amran said.

Amran has called on other clubs to have the courage to report the matter if they are or have been approached in the same manner by referees. (lnt)