PSSI Already Gets 'Green Light' From The Ministry Of Youth And Sports To Use SUGBK In The AFF Cup, But Still Waiting For FIFA Directives

GBK/DOK Main Stadium BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has finally obtained permission to use the Jakarta Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) as a home for the 2022 AFF Cup. This was conveyed by PSSI Secretary General (Sekjen) Yunus Nusi.

He revealed that the Indonesian national team could use SUGBK as a cage against Cambodia, December 23, 2022, and Thailand, December 29, 2022 in Group A. The Garuda squad can also use SUGBK if it passes for the semifinals and finals.

Even though he has obtained permission from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, PSSI is still waiting for directions from the World Football Federation (FIFA). As is known, PSSI has sent a letter to FIFA regarding the permit to use the stadium which will be the venue for the 2023 U-20 World Cup, including SUGBK.

PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan said FIFA had not replied to the letter they sent. "PSSI has submitted a letter on November 24, 2022. Now we are waiting for confirmation from FIFA," said Iriawan.

The man who is familiarly called Iwan Bule also hopes that FIFA will respond to the letter this week. According to Iriawan, in the letter, PSSI wanted FIFA to provide clarity on whether the U-20 2023 World Cup stadiums were.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports said, FIFA has the right to determine how long these stadiums will be free from other uses outside the U-20 World Cup.

"Now six (months), there could be only five or four. So it depends on the FIFA assessment," said the Menpora.

The man who was born in Gorontalo emphasized that the confirmation from FIFA would later become a reference for the utilization of the 2023 U-20 World Cup stadium. Thus, PSSI and the government can more certainly determine what activities are allowed and should not be in those arenas.

"So we hope that the letter from PSSI will be answered by FIFA soon so that there is a hold for everything," said the Menpora.

The 2022 AFF Cup will take place on December 20, 2022-16 January 2023. The Indonesian national team is part of Group A with defending champions Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam.

Unlike the previous edition which was held centrally due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest AFF Cup will return to a format like 2018, namely home and away.