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)