Football Cleaning, Erick Thohir Asks LIB Operators To Be Audited Before The New Season Of Liga 1

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir (left) answered a question from reporters at the GBK Arena, Jakarta, Wednesday (19/4/2023). (ANTARA)

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir asked for the finance of the Indonesian League operator, namely PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) to be audited and the results were conveyed openly before the new season of Liga 1 began on July 1. "This audit is needed so that there is clarity and improvement in financial management of all Indonesian football stakeholders. I will do the cleaning. What is in the league and PSSI must be accounted for," Erick said at a press conference at GBK Arena, Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, April 19. Erick stated that there was an inconsistency in the matter of giving bonuses to the Indonesian League champions. This then sparked a polemic when the public found out that the 2022/2023 PSM Makassar League 1 champion had not received any prize money, even though it had happened since 2018. "I heard that in the collaboration between LIB and PSSI that had been running before, there was a payment of LIB to PSSI via transfer. So I will also audit this later, where will the money go. Without blaming anyone," said the figure who is also the majority shareholder of the English club Oxford United. Next, Erick explained that in the composition of LIB ownership, PSSI only owns one percent of shares. Even though it only owns one percent of shares, PSSI has the right to reap the portion of revenue based on the share ownership. "Well, it seems that one percent also has an agreement umbrella where PSSI also gets a portion of the league income. What is the figure, yes, I will audit it. We rarely audit everything. Now the question is whether money even though it goes to PSSI as what, we will also audit it. This is while the leadership is new," said Erick. In addition to PT LIB's financial audit, Erick also promised to audit PSSI's finances so that the transparency and transformation of the desired football governance can be realized. "We agree on what the rules of the game are like. Without accusing, yes. But I will check the finances, league finances, PSSI finances, I will check everything. So far, the finances are fine, I will support it. If it's not okay, I will definitely dismantle it," said Erick.