Soccer chief ponders changing league venue

Soccer chief ponders changing league venue

JAKARTA (AFP): Indonesia's soccer authorities are considering a plan to shift the venue of league matches from Jakarta to a stadium outside the capital for fear of unrest disrupting the competition, it was reported here Sunday.

Nugraha Besoes, secretary general of the All Indonesia Soccer Federation (PSSI), said the body was readying a stadium in Cimahi, West Java, to host Tuesday's matches if police refused permission for the games to go ahead or trouble flared.

Besoes said the games would be held in Cimahi, 180 kilometers southeast of here, on Wednesday if Tuesday's games did not take place as scheduled.

"If solething disadvantageous happens, we will immediately evacuate (the matches) and the matches will be resumed the day after," Besoes said referring to Cimahi.

He added organizers have already prepared an alternative schedule if the matches were moved to Cimahi.

"It is true that PSSI has so far not yet received a permit to hold the event from the national police, but there are still a few days and a sudden change can still happen," Besoes said.

Police have said they are reluctant to allow the match to be held in the capital at a time when political tension here ahead of the June 7 elections was high.

Past League tournaments have been marked by hooliganism and violence between supporters. This year's season opener is scheduled to take place at the Senayan stadium and Lebak Bulus stadiums from March 16-26.