2 Minister Jokowi Maju Di Bursa Pimpinan PSSI, Wapres Ma'ruf Pastikan Tidak Ada Intervensi Pemerintah

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin (Photo: VIA ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin emphasized that the government has no intention of intervening in the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) even though two ministers of the Advanced Indonesia cabinet participated in the PSSI chairman and deputy chairman exchange for the 2023-2027 period. "I don't think the government is there to intervene, but when he runs, the important thing is whether there is a ban from FIFA, or also a ban from PSSI itself, is there a ban or not?" said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin at the University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, January 26. It is known that SOE Minister Erick Thohir is running for PSSI General Chair, while Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainuddin Amali is running for Deputy General Chair candidate. "There is no prohibition means there are no problems and also get permission from his superiors, from the President, so he must not violate FIFA rules, not violate PSSI rules and must obtain permission from the president. As long as nothing is violated, I don't think there is a problem," said the vice president. Vice President Ma'ruf assessed that the participation of the two cabinet ministers in the management of PSSI did not mean that the government intervened, especially since the government only encouraged Indonesian football to advance. "So that our football doesn't keep going, we continue to lose, so we have to look for what's wrong? All the great coaches are brought in, but is it true that Indonesians don't have the potential? I'm not sure yet," added the Vice President. The vice president said that of the 274 million Indonesians, it is impossible for no one to become outstanding football players. "From 274 million (people) does not exist? Maybe this needs to be explored again, how to find superior seeds, talents. That's actually what we are working on with DBON, the Great Design of National Sports, we want to grow talent and build so that he becomes an outstanding athlete," explained the Vice President. Vice President Ma'ruf also revealed that the participation of the two ministers must be ensured not to interfere with the running of the government. "It must be ensured that it should not interfere, it must be ensured, so if it interferes, don't, but must be ensured that it does not interfere," said the Vice President. For the prospective position of General Chair candidate other than Erick Thohir, there are the names LaNyalla Mattalitti, Arif Putra Wicaksono, Doni Setiabudi, to Fary Djemy Francis. Meanwhile, there will be candidates for Deputy General Chair other than the Minister of Youth and Sports including Ahmad Riyadh, Andre Rosadie, Azrul Ananda, Ratu Thasha to Yunus Nusi. Before competing at the PSSI Extraordinary Congress (KLB) on February 16, 2023, prospective candidates must pass the predetermined requirements. The Election Committee will verify until the announcement of the temporary candidate list on January 31, 2023. The candidates who qualify, will then compete to get support from PSSI voters, totaling 87 including 34 PSSI Provincial Associations (Asprov), 18 League 1 clubs, 16 League 2, 16 League 3 teams, and three associations namely futsal, women's football and soccer coaches.