PSSI opts for defensive after offensive spokesman removed

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.