Menpora Call The Sustainability Of Liga 1 Wait For The Security Standards

Menpora Zainudin Amali (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali stated that the continuation of the League 1 competition is still waiting for the completion of security standards, after the tragedy of Kanjuruhan, in Malang Regency, East Java, last October 1.

Zainudin, at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Thursday said that currently the government and all relevant stakeholders are conducting a total evaluation in accordance with President Joko Widodo's orders and completing the security standards for football implementation.

"(League 1) in the near future. The President's order is a total evaluation," Zainudin said as quoted by Antara, Thursday.

Zainudin explained that the steps to formulate security standards in organizing soccer competitions in Indonesia also received input from the World Football Authority, FIFA.

In addition, he continued, the police are also preparing standard procedures for securing the implementation of matches. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has also communicated with clubs and supporters representatives regarding the continuation of Liga 1.

"FIFA also provides input, then the police are setting up standards for security. It's finished, we're walking. We've also communicated with the club and supporters," he said.

Later, all formulations related to security standards and the implementation of the football match will be disseminated to all relevant parties. He asked for the commitment of all parties so that the regulation could be applied for safety.

"This is being formulated, of course we will socialize it and we will ask for all commitments. How can we watch football comfortably, safely, calmly and others," he said.

He also stated that in the near future FIFA President Gianni Infantino will also go to Indonesia to discuss preparations for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, including related to the events that occurred at the Kanjuruhan Stadium.

Previously, PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) as the operator of Liga 1 and 2 issued a letter dated October 3, 2022 which stated that Liga 1 was terminated until an undetermined time limit, while Liga 2 was suspended for two weeks after the letter was issued.

The decision was issued after a tragedy occurred at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang Regency, East Java after the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya. The tragedy caused 132 people to die.