Liga 1 Closed Due To The U-23 Asian Cup, This Is PSSI's Reason

Illustration - Ilija Spasojevic, Indonesian national team striker and Bali United LIga 1 club. (Between/Fikri Yusuf)

JAKARTA - PSSI explained that the competition break policy during the U-23 Asian Cup was in order to protect the national team and League 1 clubs.

The competition break policy is expected to make the U-23 national team fully concentrated in the U-23 Asian Cup and the club do not lose their main strength in the important phase of the competition.

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir understands that PSSI must make the best decision because the national team and competition are equally important. Erick wants the national team's achievements at the international level to be in line with the competition that accommodates all clubs.

"As the highest authority for Indonesian football, PSSI certainly has an obligation to prepare the national team and also defend the interests of the club. Therefore, the temporary pause policy for competition during the U-23 Asian Cup is the best step and solution," Erick said in a written statement received by Antara in Jakarta, Sunday.

On the other hand, Erick also knows that currently many clubs are entering a crucial agenda in the competition. Therefore, dispensation and fair treatment must be given to every club.

"Because PSSI understands that at the same time the club is facing a very tight agenda. There are teams competing to enter the championship round, there are some teams competing in the middle board, and some are struggling to escape the ravine of relegation. So that there is no room for player calling to harm the club," said Erick.

Erick said the league had given dispensation to clubs whose U-23 players were called up from the start. It's like a treatment that clubs whose players are called may not use the terms of use of U-23 players.

Currently, according to Erick, the temporary pause in competition is the best solution for the same treatment.

Erick hopes that with the league break, coach Shin Tae-Yong can call his best squad. With the best squad available, the momentum of the national team which is very good can be maintained.

"Moreover, the national team is getting a positive trend, which of course the football community has dreamed of achieving the national team. Moreover, the national team is in good momentum after recording the SEA Games gold, history of qualifying for the first time in the last 16 of the Asian Cup, and having opportunities in the World Cup Qualifiers. And now have the opportunity to qualify for the Olympics," said Erick.

"So this is our momentum to make history by doing our best for the national team."

PSSI and the Liga operator, PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB), decided to postpone the implementation of the 31st week of the 2023/2024 Liga 1 competition on the basis of the interests of the U-23 national team which will play in the U-23 Asian Cup from April 15 to May 3, or until finished.

This was confirmed through PSSI letter number 1367/UDN/815/III-2024 regarding the postponement letter for Liga 1 2023/2024, dated March 30.

The 2023/2024 Liga 1 regular season has played 30 games and has four more matches left. The top four teams in the regular phase will qualify for the Championship Series to fight for the title. Currently, only Borneo FC is the leader of the standings who has made sure to qualify for the Championship Series.