PSSI opts for defensive after offensive spokesman removed
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has gone on the defense in the face of persistent questioning of its decision to replace extroverted spokesman Eddi Elison.
Eddi is set to take his new position as a member of the association's appeal commission.
In a letter, PSSI says the removal is part of a reshuffle and that Eddi is urgently needed at his new post, effective as of Nov. 19. The letter was signed by chairman Agum Gumelar and secretary-general Tri Goestoro.
Edi should have completed his term as PSSI spokesman in 2003.
Tondo Widodo, who is PSSI's chief in charge of organizational affairs, said that Eddi's removal was just a regular rotation of duties.
Eddi's dismissal has come amid the backdrop of PSSI's on-pitch woes, which has seen it fail at the recent Kuala Lumpur SEA Games and consequently miss entry to the 2002 Asian Games in Pusan, South Korea.
Rumors abounded that he was "too up-front" in his dealings with the media. Eddi believes it was this issue that triggered his replacement.
He recently disclosed to the media that national U-20 coach Bernhard Schumm's monthly salary was US$5,000, while his Indonesian assistant only earned Rp 15 million ($1,440).
PSSI officials were reportedly angry with the media report on this issue, which was supposed to be confidential.
But Tondo rejected such speculation. "No, that's not the case. It's just a regular rotation of duties," Tondo maintained.
There has been another rumor circulating that personal acrimony between Tondo and Eddi had triggered the latter's removal.
More than a week ago, Eddi, Tondo and treasurer Irawadi Hanafi were involved in heated verbal clashes following media reports that league sponsor Bank Mandiri would not sponsor next season because PSSI had not yet paid its subsidy to a number of clubs last season.
The case was resolved when Eddi made up with Irawadi. But he has yet to bury the hatchet with Tondo.
Moments later, Tondo suggested that Eddi had been replaced because of his openness.
"We are supposed to be able to filter information for public consumption," Tondo said.
"Some (news) may be released while some should not be. What happened was that it was not just good but also bad news that was being released," Tondo said.
Meanwhile, easy-talking Eddi conceded that some of his colleagues did not like the way he dealt with the media.
"I have to be open with you, I don't understand what the matter was all about. What I told you was just confirmation of an issue that you already knew about" Eddi said.