PSSI Gives Space Indra Sjafri Clarifies, Shin Tae-yong?

Acting Secretary General of PSSI, Yunus Nusi (center) poses with other PSSI administrators and also Indra Sjafri (far right) (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Football Association is now in the spotlight. The cause was a polemic involving PSSI, Shin Tae-yong (Indonesian national team coach) and Indra Sjafri (PSSI Technical Director).

It all started with the harsh criticism that Shin Tae-yong conveyed to PSSI when interviewed by South Korean media. On that occasion too, Shin teased Indra Sjafri's appointment as Director of the PSSI.

PSSI, through the Acting Task Force (Plt) Secretary General Yunus Nusi, was reluctant to respond. The soccer parent wants to hear directly from the coach before responding.

However, PSSI provided space for Indra Sjafri to provide clarification. Through the PSSI official website, Indra Sjafri clearly explained that he had a problem with Shin.

"At first we didn't want to ask for clarification, but the media bombarded them. So, we are clarifying, please don't stop," Yunus Nusi told the media.

The attitude of PSSI, which provided space for Indra Sjafri to issue a statement through the official website of the federation, received attention from netizens. Some of them considered it unethical to discuss this issue on the official PSSI website.

Regarding this, Yunus Nusi gave an explanation. He revealed the reason why PSSI provided an official website platform to Indra Sjafri to provide clarification. He said the former Bali United coach had the right to use the media because he was a PSSI manager.

Will the same treatment be given to Shin Tae-yong? Yunus Nusi confirmed that PSSI would have the same attitude. PSSI is waiting for the coach to come to give an official statement.

"We will facilitate after he arrives, so that he does not call or pass the media. That's not good," he said.

It is not certain when Shin Tae-yong will return to Indonesia. PSSI has asked the coach to return. However, he is worried because positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia are still relatively high.