Persikabo Only Has 12 Players Due To COVID-19, LIB Asks To Play Against Bali United

Persikabo (Twitter.com/@persikabo_1973)

JAKARTA - The operator of the Liga 1 competition, PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) has asked for the 22nd week match between Tira Persikabo and Bali United to continue. In fact, ahead of this match, it was discovered that Persikabo only had 12 players ready to compete.

Persikabo experienced the crisis because seven of their players tested positive for COVID-19 after carrying out a PCR test before training. The news about the condition of the team was conveyed by Persikabo coach Liestiadi on Thursday afternoon or a few hours before the match.

"Seven of our players tested positive for Covid-19 before carrying out training yesterday afternoon at 17.00 WIB," he said.

Even with improvised players, PT LIB still asked for the match to be played. This situation clearly made Liestiadi disappointed and felt that if this match was forced it would burden his team.

Liestiadi then emphasized that he had to force two injured players to enter the line-up to fulfill LIB's request.

"Currently there are 12 players who are fit and two players are injured and it is forced into the line-up, because the game is still being asked to continue," he said.

Furthermore, Liestiadi also emphasized that the essence of the Indonesian League competition to become a quality football competition in the country has now run aground. This is because of a forced decision like in the case of his team this time.

"Actually we are disappointed with PT LIB's decision because the spirit of competition is no longer there, how can we improve the quality of competition if it is forced like this," he said.

The Tira Persikabo vs Bali United match is scheduled to take place tonight at 20.30 WIB. However, with Persikabo's crisis of players, this match is believed to be going limp.