Observer Of The Reduction Value Of Foreign Players In The Super League Is A Must

National football observer, Akmal Marhali, supports reducing the number of foreign players in the 2025/2026 Super League (Instagram/@akmalmarhali20).

Jakarta - A national football observer, Akmal Marhali, also responded to the I-League (PT Liga Indonesia Baru) policy which stipulates a maximum quota of eight foreign players for each club in the 2025/2026 Super League competition.

According to him, this decision is not in line with the spirit of football transformation that has been carried out by PSSI for the last two years under the leadership of PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir.

"The policy of eight foreign players is excessive and is contrary to the direction of national football development."

"The chairman of PSSI has emphasized the need to correct it to seven. We at Save Our Soccer fully support it," said Akmal in Jakarta quoted Friday, Friday 18, 2025.

Akmar Marhali assessed that if I-League comes with a professional vision and more advanced packaging, it must also side with the potential of Indonesian young players who are now increasingly abundant, especially in the U-19 and U-23 age groups.

According to him, this development is proof of federation reform, and competition should be a space for actualization for these talents.

"Playing hours for young players, especially U-23s, must be added significantly. That is the only way to build skills, characters, and mental champions in long competitions. Clubs must play more roles, not just training places," he said.

Akmal added that strengthening the role of young players in competition will be an indicator of the success of Indonesia's football transformation, as well as encouraging clubs to take over responsibility for coaching and regeneration.