PSSI questions Kurniawan and Yuniarto on drug use

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Strikers Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto and Yuniarto Budi from PSM Makassar soccer club underwent doping tests conducted by a medical team from the Soccer Association of Indonesian (PSSI) here on Thursday.

The medical team -- comprising PSSI official in charge of medical affairs Sonny Tobing and second in command of PSSI's disciplinary commission Togar M. Nero -- also tested 23 players of PSM and 15 players of Pelita Surakarta, Central Java, after both clubs competed in the Bank Mandiri national soccer league.

After the urine tests, Kurniawan and Yuniarto were questioned on their activities at Weta Hotel in Surabaya prior to their match against Petrokimia Gresik on April 11. PSSI has yet to announce the result of the tests.

Kurniawan hailed PSSI's effort to fight drugs in sport. "I think the urine tests will give local soccer a positive image, especially for me because I can prove to everybody that I do not misbehave," he told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

PSM team manager Kadir Halid said his team did not expect the medical team to arrive on Thursday.

"I was surprised when I saw Pak Sonny and Pak Tagor show up at the field before the match started. We didn't know their itinerary or the purpose of their visit," he said.

Kadir said he would not interfere with any decision made by PSSI following the results of the tests.

"It will be up to PSSI to come to a conclusion. One thing for sure is that Kurniawan and Yuniarto have given honest and objective explanations."

Kurniawan and Yuniarto, who shared the same room at the hotel, allegedly consumed shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) before the match.

Another PSM player, Kuncoro, reportedly admitted on Wednesday to taking shabu-shabu at the same time at the hotel. But he refused to implicate Kurniawan and a Persebaya player, Mursyid Effendi.

Kuncoro said in a written statement earlier that he was persuaded by Mursyid to take shabu-shabu but Mursyid said it was Kurniawan who encouraged him to take the drug. Kurniawan has refuted Mursyid's statement.

Kuncoro has been banned from playing in the current league while Mursyid has been grounded and is waiting for PSSI to decide his fate.

The PSSI official in charge of a special task force on drug prevention, Adang Ruchiatna, said on Wednesday that the disciplinary commission should further investigate the case because Kuncoro and Mursyid had given differing statements on their activities at the hotel. (27)