The Commotion About Naturalization Of The Indonesian National Team, NOC Indonesia To Apologize

Shin Tae-yong was asked about naturalization by a member of the Executive Committee of NOC Indonesia (VOI/Ferry Tri Adi Sasono).

JAKARTA - The naturalization project of Indonesian national team players has sparked another heated debate. The comments of the member of the Indonesian NOC Executive Committee, Hifni Hasan, became the trigger.

Hifni made a statement of disapproval regarding the naturalization of the Indonesian national team when representing the President of NOC Indonesia, Raja Sapta Oktohari, coming to the Santini Jebreetmedia Award 2024, on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

"First of all, I want to talk about coach Shin Tae-yong. Incidentally, he doesn't understand Indonesian."

"I am one of the hardest people to highlight this naturalization problem. I also always remind him (Shin Tae-yong) not to bring too many naturalized players into the body of Indonesian football," said Hifni Hasan.

"Every time I talk about coach Shin Tae-yong, the buzzer may be hundreds of thousands of people attacking," he said again.

The polemic of naturalized players has long been a debate in Indonesian football.

Although the performance of the Indonesian national team continues to increase along with the arrival of naturalized players who have Indonesian blood, this issue still reaps the pros and cons.

After Hifni Hasan's strong criticism regarding the naturalization project, Shin Tae-yong immediately opened his voice.

The South Korean coach emphasized that the public no longer needs to debate naturalized players in the Indonesian national team.

He also asked the people of the country to see this naturalization project through a wider perspective in improving the quality of local Indonesian players.

Shin Tae-yong further revealed that he and PSSI did not carelessly naturalize players.

Diaspora players or have Indonesian lineages are immediately a priority because they deserve to choose and defend ancestral land.

NOC Indonesia Makes Official Statement

Regarding Hifni Hasan's statement which made the naturalization issue warm again, NOC Indonesia made an official statement.

Through an upload on the official NOC Indonesia Instagram account, they confirmed that Hifni Hasan's statement did not represent the organization.

"The official statement from NOC Indonesia regarding the statement of one of the Executive Committee members regarding the naturalization program in the Indonesian national team by PSSI."

"NOC Indonesia took a stand on the noise that occurred after a statement made by Member of the Executive Committee Hifni Hasan at the Santini Jebreeetmedia Award 2024 on Thursday, September 26, 2024."

"NOC Indonesia confirms that the statement regarding the naturalization program of players carried out by PSSI made by Hifni Hasan does not represent the institution or organization of the Indonesian NOC."

"This statement is a personal statement and does not represent the Indonesian NOC. Even though it is a personal statement, the person concerned did not deserve to express his opinion on the occasion because he was present to represent the General Chairperson of NOC Indonesia," reads the statement of NOC Indonesia.

Furthermore, NOC Indonesia took firm action in accordance with the provisions of the organizational constitution against Hifni Hasan.

"We respect every step taken by each of our members, including PSSI in carrying out sports management and development for better achievements."

"NOC Indonesia apologizes for the actions concerned with the PSSI General Chair and his staff, including the Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong. NOC Indonesia always supports PSSI in managing its organization."

"NOC Indonesia will take steps, including taking firm action against those concerned in accordance with the provisions of the organizational constitution," continued the statement of NOC Indonesia.

As is known, Hifni Hasan at the event was giving a speech representing NOC Indonesia. In the midst of the speech, he mentioned the naturalization to Shin Tae-yong who was also present at the event.