PSSI Plans To Liga 1 2024/2025 Using Foreign Referees

Deputy Chairman of the PSSI Referee Committee, Yoshimi Ogawa (VOI/Ulfa Gusti).

JAKARTA - PSSI continues to make thorough preparations ahead of welcoming the new 2024/2025 Liga 1 season. Improvements were also announced, one of which was the plan to bring in foreign referees with high quality.

This leak was conveyed by the Deputy Chairman of the PSSI Referee Committee, Yoshimi Ogawa. The Japanese man said that the plan to bring in foreign referees was to improve the quality of the competition and help the development of local referees.

"Every month we will invite foreign referees, especially from Asia," said Yoshimi Ogawa at the Refereeing Workshop for Media event at the GBK Arena, Jakarta, on Monday, July 8, 2024.

Regarding the foreign referee who will be involved in Liga 1 2024/2025, Yoshimi emphasized that PSSI will not be arbitrary in determining candidates and only quality referees will be brought in.

In order to get a high-quality referee, Yoshimi has even set special criteria. He will only invite elite Asian referees to lead the match in Liga 1 2024/2025.

"Including referees who are candidates for the World Cup or referees who lead in successful countries. Like this country, it has sent clubs to the AFC Champions League," said Ogawa.

For the number of foreign referees in Liga 1 2024/2025, Ogawa said it would not be too much, namely one foreign referee in a month of matches.

The reason is that PSSI will also provide opportunities for local referees. You see, the development of local referees also remains the main goal.

"However, (attacking a foreign referee) is not so much. You see, we have to give local referees a chance."

"Every month we invite one outside referee," said Ogawa.