PSSI Responds To Muhammad Tahir's Controversial Statement Regarding Naturalized Players

Muhammad Tahir gave a controversial statement about naturalized players (Instagram/@psbsofficial).

JAKARTA - PSSI through the Executive Committee Member, Arya Sinulingga, responded to the controversy that dragged Muhammad Tahir's name. The PSBS Biak player became a concern after his comments regarding the comparison of local players and naturalization in the Indonesian national team.

Responding to this, Arya Sinulingga asked that no polemics expand. According to him, as long as players have Indonesian passports, they have the right to strengthen the Indonesian national team.

"Regarding naturalized players, as long as they have Indonesian blood, either grandmother or grandfather, they have rights," said Arya Sinulingga when met at the GBK Arena, Senayan, Central Jakarta on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

"So, everyone in the diaspora has the right as long as they have Indonesian blood," he said again.

Previously, it was known, in Akmal Marhali's YouTube program, Tahir without hesitation said that the quality of local players was not inferior to descendants or naturalization players. He also challenged to hold a match between local players vs naturalized players.

Furthermore, Arya also emphasized that the Indonesian national team players are currently fully the choice of coach Shin Tae-yong. The South Korean coach also did not close the door for good players from League 1, League 2, to League 3.

For example, Arya also mentioned the name Ramadhan Sananta, who continues to be Shin Tae-yong's mainstay. According to him, the 21-year-old player has extraordinary quality in Liga 1 with Persis Solo.

"What is certain is that if local players from Liga 1 are good, they will definitely appear, really. We'll see who is now the top scorer in the Indonesian national team, (Ramadhan) Sananta, right?," said Arya.

"He even beat (Lionel) Messi (on the top score list for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers)," he said again.

On this occasion, Arya Sinulingga then asked that there be no more polemics like this in the scope of Indonesian football.

Meanwhile, currently Shin Tae-yong is preparing the U-23 Indonesian national team to compete in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar, April 15 to May 3, 2024.

In preparation, the 53-year-old coach called for Liga 1 players. Shin Tae-yong only summoned four naturalized players who strengthened the U-23 Indonesian national team, namely Justin Hubner, Nathan Tjoe-A-on, Ivar Jenner, and Rafael Struick.