FC Dallas Supports Maarten Paes Who Can Defend The Indonesian National Team: Owned By Garuda

Maarten Paes has been able to defend the Indonesian national team (Instagram/@maartenpaes).

JAKARTA - The United States League club (MLS), FC Dallas, is also happy to know that its player, Maarten Paes, can defend the Indonesian national team. Full support was then given to the goalkeeper.

Through uploads on the club's social media, FC Dallas appreciated Maarten Paes for finally being able to wear the Indonesian national team uniform. Proudly FC Dallas also stated that the goalkeeper now belongs to the Garuda Squad.

"Milik Garuda," wrote FC Dallas on Instagram while uploading several photo poses of Maarten Paes decorated with the Garuda hologram, quoted on Monday, August 19, 2024.

The news that Maarten Paes can now defend the Indonesian national team is good news. The reason is, the opportunity had problems.

Paes has actually officially become an Indonesian citizen (WNI) on April 30, 2024. Even though he already holds the status of an Indonesian citizen, Paes has not been able to directly defend the Indonesian national team in the international calendar.

The problem is, FIFA rejects the transfer of associations from the Netherlands (KNVB) to Indonesia (PSSI).

This is because the player had defended the Dutch U-21 national team when he was 22 years old. Not satisfied with FIFA's decision, PSSI appealed to the Sports Arbitration Court (CAS).

The appeal has been filed and FIFA has held an appeal hearing on August 15, 2024. Then, the results of the trial were announced by PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir on Sunday, August 18, 2024, which finally ensured that Maarten Paes could officially defend the Indonesian national team.

"The news is good for Indonesian football. PSSI today informed that after going through a long and extensive process, Maarten Paes has finally been successfully registered and is now legally able to play on behalf of the Indonesian national team," wrote Erick Thohir on his personal Instagram.