PSSI to reschedule soccer league matches
PSSI to reschedule soccer league matches
JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has
been forced to reschedule numerous matches of the 2001 Bank
Mandiri national league, which were postponed over fears of fan
violence.
The association hopes to meet with officials from the league's
28 clubs and representatives of the National Police next Monday
to discuss the postponement and the possible rescheduling of the
matches.
PSSI spokesman Eddi Elison said on Wednesday the association
would gather opinions on rescheduling matches, a process that
could be more difficult because the matches were likely to
coincide with the national team's training for the Southeast
Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17. PSSI hopes
to reach the final at the biennial event.
"The league has been postponed since May 30 in certain cities
which are considered unsafe including Surabaya, Jakarta, Bandung,
Malang, Surakarta and Sleman. Local police in those cities have
refused to issue match permits," Eddi said.
The main reason the police have refused to issue permits is
because fans in these cities often run amok after matches.
Eddi said PSSI had assigned the head of its appeals
commission, Brig. Gen. (ret) Ashar Suryobroto, who is also in
charge of security at national and international home matches, to
meet with the National Police's deputy of operational affairs,
Insp. Gen. Adang Herman, to discuss the issuance of match
permits.
The two were to meet on Wednesday, but Herman was unable to
attend because he was being installed as the chief of the West
Sumatra Police.
"Pak Ashar met with some officers in the police headquarters
but he could not met with any officers with real authority,
because the police are undergoing some changes following the
installment of the new National Police deputy chief," Eddi said.
He also said that Ashar would return to the police
headquarters on Thursday to confirm the police's policy in
handling the league's matches in potentially dangerous areas.
In an unrelated development, 27 clubs are expected to compete
in the Bogasari under-18 national league beginning in August. The
champion will take home the Suratin Cup.
Eddi said the clubs had passed through qualification rounds
staged by several provincial chapters.
"As of Tuesday, 22 junior clubs have qualified for the main
division."
Twenty-three clubs have been admitted to the first division
and 26 clubs to the second division.
Eddi said the tournament was originally due to take place in
July but was delayed because of political tension in the country.
"PSSI has yet to decide on a date (for the tournament). One
thing is sure, the tournament will start after the special
session (of the People's Consultative Assembly) on Aug. 1," he
said. (ivy)