Asked About The Budget To Bring The Argentine National Team, Erick Thohir: Why Does The Poor PSSI Continue To Think About It

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir, together with PSSI Deputy General Chair Zainudin Amali. (Photo: Ulfa Gusti Utami/VOI)

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chairperson (Ketum) Erick Thohir answered a donation question about the ability of the federation to cooperate and bring the Argentine national team to the country. This is related to the FIFA Matchday schedule on 19 June.

In a press conference that took place at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) on Wednesday, May 24, afternoon WIB, Erick Thohir explained, being able to compete with the Argentine national team was a golden opportunity. The moment was also used to build the mentality of the national team.

During the question and answer session, Erick Thohir was asked about the costs incurred by PSSI to bring in the Argentine national team. The reason is, foreign media had stated that there was a need for funds of approximately 70 billion rupiah to bring Lionel Scaloni's team.

Erick Thohir then stated that the cost was not the main thing that should be a fuss. While joking he denied that PSSI was being reported as a poor federation.

"This (against Argentina) is mentally built. And of course we don't get excited about how much is paid," Erick Thohir said at a press conference, Wednesday, May 24.

"Is it true that I don't believe PSSI? As if PSSI is poor, this is what is in front (Zainudin Amali and Arya Sinulingga) not cans. I deliberately came wearing a suit (to convince). So the point is, don't talk about money," continued Erick Thohir.

On the same occasion, Erick Thohir also asked the public to build trust in PSSI. This is because he wants to create a transparent federation that is not only aimed at commercial purposes but also able to build the mentality of the national team.

Asked about costs and budgets, Erick Thohir had admitted that he objected to this because according to him, the federation and the players in the national team continued to appear and make maximum efforts as a form of love for football.

"You should be sure, we are building a transparent PSSI and we believe this is not only commercial but the mental development of the Indonesian national team," he said.

"Yesterday, the SEA Games champion, do you want to count using money? No, right. When the players talk about bonuses, I'm sure it will be higher than they ever got."

"But I really object that they (players) play on the field for money. We play because of their love of the ball, for our country, so we don't talk about money, talk about our guts, mentality," said Erick Thohir.