Observer: Summoning Descendants Is Better Than Naturalization

Indonesian U-19 National Team (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - The plan of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to naturalize players in order to achieve success in the 2021 U-20 World Cup has received harsh criticism. The public thinks that PSSI's steps are not a solution.

National football observer, Rais Adnan, said it would be better for PSSI to call on descendants of players who are currently competing abroad. According to him, they have more rights than naturalized foreign players.

"For players of descent, after all, they also have the right. Even if they have to go through the naturalization process, players of mixed blood may still be tolerated. Especially if the players are of special quality," said Rais to VOI, Friday, August 21.

Rais assessed that players of different descent from naturalized players. They have rights because they clearly have Indonesian blood. Moreover, some of them already have Indonesian passports.

"Compared to players who have no origin with Indonesia, they are suddenly naturalized. Their quality is questionable," said the man who also commented on the football.

If it is a good player, continued Rais, there is no way that player would want to be naturalized to Indonesia. In his opinion, the players were better off defending their own country.

Currently, there are a number of descent players who have been summoned to follow the U-19 Indonesia national team training camp. They are Elkan Baggott who defended Ipswich Town and Jack Brown who are members of the Lincoln City club. The two of them are being tested for quality by coach Shin Tae-yong.