The 2024 President's Cup Was Held Without The Guest Team Supporter

JAKARTA - The 2024 President's Cup will start rolling on July 19, 2024 in three cities. This pre-season tournament will involve eight teams divided into two groups.

This pre-season agenda will also be enlivened by the presence of supporters in the stands.

However, PSSI emphasized that when the match started, the visitors' supporters were prohibited from coming. Only supporters from the home team can attend directly at the stadium where the 2024 President's Cup will take place.

Based on information revealed by Erick Thohir as the General Chair (Ketum) of PSSI, the decision of the 2024 Presidential Cup was held without the fans of the visitors also had strong reasons. This is related to the sanctions imposed by FIFA regarding the audience.

"Sometimes we like to forget that we have a collaboration with FIFA and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, which at that time asked Indonesian football to transform under PSSI."

"Well, there is a note from FIFA. Why did FIFA make an office here (Indonesia), it was part of the supervision," said Erick Thohir when attending the 2024 Presidential Cup launching event in the Senayan area, Central Jakarta on Monday, July 15, 2024.

"There is a most important derivative, at that time there should not be an incident (a riot) like the (Tragedi) Kanjuruhan. Remember this is still under surveillance, two years of transition."

"Last year it went well, but at the end (of the supervision) there were actually unwanted incidents."

"This means that it has not (loloss the FIFA standard to bring in the visitors' supporters)," said Erick again.

The decision only to allow the host team supporters who come to the stadium is the effect of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy in October 2022.

After the tragedy that killed 159 people, Indonesia is still under FIFA supervision.

If there are riots again, it is not impossible for Indonesia to get FIFA sanctions. Therefore, in order to minimize the occurrence of riots, PSSI is also trying to implement FIFA recommendations to create a database for Indonesian supporters.

"In fact, this year it was mandated by FIFA, that all supporters must enter the database and online system. If there are individuals who do anything, the police can immediately take the person," said the PSSI chairman.

"Don't let irresponsible people get into the field, riot, and cause casualties."

"That's why we are consistent, in the President's Cup there is a home advantage. Then, there is an advantage of being seeded from yesterday's ranking, for example Borneo FC against PSM, who is home? Borneo."

"So, I ask for the understanding of supporters so that we are not considered to be transforming masks by FIFA," said Erick Thohir.

The 2024 President's Cup will be attended by eight clubs with professional licenses from AFC. The eight clubs are Arema FC, Bali United, Borneo FC, Madura United, Persib, Persija, Persebaya, and PSM.

The 2024 President's Cup is also a pre-season agenda by competing for the main prize of IDR 5 billion.