JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir has a role in preventing Indonesia from being sanctioned by FIFA. Erick Thohir's contribution is said to be quite influential.
After the tragedy of the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang that killed hundreds of lives, Erick Thohir met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday, October 5. In a meeting with the highest leader of the International Football Federation, Erick Thohir talked a lot with Gianni.
One of them is about the message of the President of FIFA who expressed his condolences for the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium. But on the other hand, Erick Thohir was also invited to talk about efforts to advance Indonesian football.
Whereas before the meeting, there were concerns that FIFA would impose strict sanctions related to the loss of many lives at the Kanjuruhan Stadium after the Arema FC vs Persebaya match.
In fact, that fear did not happen. In a meeting with Gianni, Erick Thohir even said that FIFA was ready to support the progress of Indonesian football. This is inseparable from the potential and development of football in the country which has a fairly large market share.
"The international football organization is also ready to provide maximum support, with consideration of the potential, popularity, and development of football in Indonesia, and is associated with constant national economic growth, a large market, and stable socio-political conditions," Erick said in a written statement.
The meeting between Erick Thohir and Gianni was felt easy because the two were reported to have had a good close relationship. The relationship has reportedly been established since the Minister of SOEs was still President of Inter Milan.
This lobbying from Erick Thohir is believed by several parties to be the key to Indonesia regardless of FIFA sanctions. The reason is, shortly after the meeting, FIFA sent a letter to President Joko Widodo that they are ready to help Indonesia improve national football governance.
However, of course it would be not good if credit was only given to Erick Thohir. The reason is, there are several parties who also have a role.
For example, the important role of President Joko Widodo who directly contacted Gianni Infantino by telephone after the incident.
President Joko Widodo even left a letter to the FIFA boss. Indeed, the letter was given through Erick Thohir.
"Alhamdulillah, the President's letter that I brought back to Gianni was well received," Erick Thohir said in a video he posted via his Instagram account.
In addition, PSSI is always the highest football federation in Indonesia, which also has a role that cannot be closed haphazardly. PSSI administrators routinely report to FIFA regarding the sad incident in Kanjuruhan Malang.
Of course, FIFA got an idea of what happened to national football.
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