COVID-19 Cases Are Crazy, Liga 1 Is Postponed Until The End Of July

DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - PSSI stated that the implementation of the 2021-2022 Indonesian League 1 and 2 season was postponed until the end of July.

The postponement is in accordance with the instructions from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force which was delivered through a letter signed by the Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Ganip Warsito.

"On humanitarian grounds, PSSI has decided to follow the government's directions. The COVID-19 condition is very bad and we fully support the government's efforts to control the pandemic," said PSSI Secretary General Yunus Nusi as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, June 29.

With this decision, PSSI asked the competition operator PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) to determine the steps and coordinate with all relevant parties, including the National Police participating clubs.

Responding to the decision, Director of Operations LIB Sudjarno confirmed that his party would prepare several possibilities regarding the implementation of Liga 1 and Liga 2 for the 2021-2022 season.

Sudjarno said LIB had also communicated with the National Police Headquarters after the COVID-19 Task Force submitted a letter to postpone the implementation of the league.

"Instructions from the National Police Headquarters, the league can start between July 23 and 30, 2021. Of course the LIB considers all of this," he said.

Sudjarno then said that the LIB would redesign the league schedule scheme. One possibility that is anticipated is the advancement of the league to mid-July 2021 if the COVID-19 case declines.

"So, LIB will prepare everything, whatever happens. It could be that later if the pandemic declines, the league will start not until the end of July. We will continue to coordinate with 'stakeholders', including BNPB, Kemenpora to address this," said Sudjarno.

The Indonesian Liga 1 2021-2022 season was previously scheduled to run from July 9, 2021 to March 2022. Meanwhile, Liga 2 2021 is targeted to take place two weeks after the opening of Liga 1.