PSSI questions Kurniawan and Yuniarto on drug use

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)