More clubs lay off players as soccer body stops league

More clubs lay off players as soccer body stops league

JAKARTA (JP): PSBL Bandar Lampung and PKT Bontang yesterday
extended the list of soccer clubs sending their players packing
after the All Indonesian Soccer Federation stopped the league
earlier this week.

Executives of the two clubs laid off their players for an
"undecided period" and paid their May salaries plus
transportation subsidies they might need if they wish to return
to their respective hometowns or countries.

The move follows similar action by PSIM Yogyakarta, PSP Padang
and Arseto Solo, which have already put all their activities on
hold. Arseto, owned by President Soeharto's son Sigit
Hardjojudanto, disbanded on Thursday.

PSBL manager I Nyoman Sukesna said each of the club's three
foreign signings was paid Rp 8.5 million (US$800) while its 16
local players earned between Rp 750,000 and Rp 1 million each per
month. The transportation subsidies were Rp 500,000 for the
domestic players and Rp 9 million for each imported player.

"The decision comes not only as a response to the league's
cessation, but to the country's uncertain political and economic
situation," Sukesna said, as quoted by Antara, after an executive
meeting yesterday.

PSBL's secretary Murdjito said the temporary layoffs had cost
the club Rp 156 million, including salaries and transportation
allowances for the coach and his assistants.

Murdjito said the money would be given out in a farewell
gathering this evening.

Sukesna said he would recall the players if the league
resumes. "We froze our activities but we are not breaking our
contracts with them," he said.

English coach Paul Cumming responded grimly to the decision,
but said he could understand it. "I just hope that the situation
can return to normal and we can play again," he said.

Cumming's side lay fifth in the West Division with 21 points
and a goals tally of 21 scored against 23 conceded. It had two
more games in hand when the league was called off.

In Samarinda, PKT manager Priyatna Natawirya said his players
would leave the club after receiving their salaries in the next
few days.

He insisted, however, that the club had not disbanded, saying
that he would ask his team to regroup if the league resumes.

"We remain in existence. We are just giving our players a long
leave. It will cost us a lot if all the players are here while
the competition is in impasse," he said.

The national soccer federation, meanwhile, has come under fire
for prompting a premature end to the league.

Former executive of the federation, Sumaryoto, said his
successors, instead of economic and political stalemate, were to
blame for the league's cessation.

"It's very sad to learn that executives of the federation lack
organizational skills, particularly to keep the competition going
in whatever situation," Sumaryoto said.

He suggested a reshuffle in the federation's board of
executives, including replacement of chairman Azwar Anas.

"He (Azwar) can no longer carry out the top job. I suggest the
federation holds a national congress to elect a new chairman,
that is Agum Gumelar," he said.

Agum, chief of the National Resilience Institute, is a former
federation executive in charge of competition affairs. (amd)