The Results Of The Persebaya Squad Self-Swab Test Are Different From The LIB Version, PSSI Chairman: Must Refer To The Regulations Of The League 1 Competition

JAKARTA - Persebaya conducted an independent swab test the day before the match against Persipura in Bali on February 6 because they were unsure of the results of the test conducted by PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB). PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan asked all clubs to comply with the 2021-2022 Indonesian League 1 Regulations, including Article 52.

According to Persebaya, the results of the PCR swab test from LIB and their self-swab tests are different. From the test by LIB on February 5, 2022, Bruno Moreira, Taisei Marukawa, Ricky Kambuaya, Alwi Slamat and Koko Ari tested positive for COVID-19.

However, from the results of the self-test on February 6, 2022, the five players were negative. Defender Arif Satria did the same. However, these players still cannot play because the LIB test results are recognized.

In article 52 it is clearly explained that PSSI and LIB formed the COVID-19 Task Force as an authority that has competence, has the authority to record, distribute and decide on all matters deemed necessary regarding the information on the results of the 'antigen swab test'.

"Everything must be based on the 2021-2022 League 1 Competition Regulations. There it has been explained clearly about the mechanism for the COVID-19 test results and its derivatives. Thus, all PCR results must be accountable, accountable, and known by the relevant parties. I urge all clubs, regarding the results of the COVID-19 test, to always communicate with LIB and the COVID-19 Task Force for Liga 1 2021-2022. So that all of them have the same understanding, responsibility, and commitment," said Iriawan as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, February 8th.

Meanwhile, LIB emphasized that they are responsible for carrying out the COVID-19 PCR swab test in the Indonesian League 1 2021-2022 and all outside tests must be coordinated.

"The decision taken about players being allowed to play in one match is purely based on the results of the PCR tests that we have done previously," said LIB Operations Director who is also Head of the 2021-2022 Liga 1 COVID-19 Task Force, Sudjarno.

The retired police officer with the last rank of Inspector General continued, it is possible to do an independent PCR swab test, but everything must be coordinated with the LIB or the COVID-19 Task Force. Sudjarno said that the incident of self-test like Persebaya was not the first.

"Previously there were cases in two League 1 clubs that were the same as Persebaya. Some did a PCR test again in the morning and in the afternoon the results were out. In some names, the test the day before was positive and after a retest, the results were negative. Players who are negative can also be fielded in the game that night. Remember, the line-up can change 90 minutes before the game after communicating with us," he said.