Had A Chance To Meet Emil Audero, The Chairman Of PSSI Did Not Force Naturalization

Emil Audero is rumored to be naturalized (Instagram/@emil_audero).

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chairperson (Ketum), Erick Thohir, opened his voice regarding Kans Emil Audero undergoing naturalization for the Indonesian national team. He admitted that he did not force the player.

Previously, Erick Thohir had shown the moment of his meeting with Emil Audero. The portrait of togetherness shared through social media invites speculation that the meeting was part of the PSSI chairman's efforts to lobby Audero.

However, it turned out that Erick Thohir said that the meeting was just a gathering and discussed the development of Italian and Indonesian football. He did not at all mention the naturalization of Emil Audero.

"No, it (discuss naturalization). So, on my way yesterday, I met Massimo Moratti (ex Inter Milan President) as two friends who had been President of Inter Milan and partners," said Erick Thohir in Central Jakarta on Friday, April 19, 2024.

"I also talked to him about football in Italy, his views on football in the world," he said.

In addition, the chairman of PSSI also said that he was reluctant to force Emil Audero to naturalize if the player did not have personal desires. Erick then took the naturalization of several players, such as Nathan Tjoe-A-On and Justin Hubner.

"Just like Emil Audero, I speak that we remain open, but we don't want the term to force. As you asked, Justin Hubner landed, immediately played (to defend the U-23 Indonesian national team)," he said.

"Nathan Tjoe-A-On came, immediately played. That means, there is no coercion. They immediately play with the risk of injury, but they want to defend the Red and White that's what we expected," said Erick.