Foreign Referee Returns To Liga 1 And 2, PSSI Chairman: For Quality Competition

JAKARTA - The General Chairperson (PSSI), Erick Thohir, commented on the involvement of several foreign referees who led the matches in Liga 1 and Liga 2. He said, it aims to improve the quality of competition in the country.

"Since the start of the season, in collaboration with the AFC, we have continued to bring in international referees to lead League 1 and League 2 with two goals."

"First, learning for Indonesian referees, gaining experience, and improving quality."

"Secondly, with the presence of the international referee, the quality of our league is also increasingly professional because the referee is FIFA and from AFC," said Erick Thohir in an official statement quoted on Tuesday, January 18, 2025.

Erick also revealed that the presence of foreign referees in this national football competition could also be a learning material for local referees. Moreover, most of the referees who come are FIFA and AFC qualification.

"The existence of this foreign referee is also a lesson for Indonesian referees, gains mutual experience, and improves quality."

"The problem is, the referee is FIFA and from AFC," said Erick Thohir again.

Erick Thohir admitted that the presence of this foreign referee received appreciation from club coaches who said they were satisfied.

As a result, PSSI in the future will cooperate with AFC so that it can still bring in quality referees to lead League 1 and League 2.

"I received reports from coaches and LIB that they were satisfied with the leadership of foreign referees."

"Therefore, we continue to work with the AFC so that we can take turns bringing in international quality referees," said Erick Thohir.

Since early 2025, there have been two foreign referees serving in League 1 and League 2. They are Ko Hyung-jin from South Korea and Clifford Daypuyat from the Philippines.

Ko Hyung-jin had led the 19th week of the League 1 match between Persebaya and North Maluku United. Meanwhile, Clifford was tasked with leading the last eight Premier League 2 matches between Deltras and PSPS and the playoffs between FC Bekasi City and Adhyaksa FC.

After the presence of the two referees, PSSI will also bring in two other foreign referees in League 1 and League 2 and is planned to start their duties at the end of February 2025. The two referees are Muhammad Taqi and personal Leow who are from Singapore.