Carlos Pena Moves Persija Captain Tires From Andritany To Rizky Ridho

Rizky Ridho captained Persija in Liga 1 2024/2025 (Instagram/@persija).

JAKARTA The Persija Jakarta coach officially appointed a new captain for the team for Liga 1 2024/2024. The armband that was previously pinned to Andritany Ardhiyasa now belongs to Rizky Ridho.

The news that Andritany no longer holds the captain status for Liga 1 2024/2025 was announced by Persija along with the launch of the squad at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS), Wednesday, August 7, 2024, WIB night.

Carlos Pena has reasons for the change. Rizky Ridho is considered by the coach to have a background in carrying out the captain status in the U-23 Indonesian national team. In addition, another consideration is the matter of new regulations in Liga 1 2024/2025.

PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) as the operator of the competition determined that only the captain could protest on the field. Given that Andritany is a goalkeeper, it will be a hassle for him to get out of his nest to protest.

"The reason is because of the regulation that the captain is the only one who can speak to the referee," said Carlos Pena, quoted on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

"If he (the captain) is the goalkeeper then it is impossible to cross all over the field to protest to the referee," he said.

Although Rizky Ridho has been appointed captain, Pena said that when there are protests that will be submitted, the defender will continue to communicate with Andritany first.

The coach also continued to emphasize that Andritany continued to lead the squad in the dressing room.

"Our decision is that Andritany communicates with Ridho (when there is a protest). I think the best decision is that one player can run, not a goalkeeper. So, appointing Ridho is the solution."

"However, Andritany remains an important leader in the dressing room," said the coach again.

On the other hand, Pena also did not appoint Andritany as deputy captain. The position will be occupied by Muhammad Ferarri for this season.