Persebaya Coach Asks PSSI And LIB To Evaluate Match Rules Amid COVID-19

Persebaya Surabaya coach Aji Santoso (INSTAGRAM @officialpersebaya)

JAKARTA – Persebaya Surabaya coach Aji Santoso highlighted the quality of competition and the principle of fairness in the Indonesian League 1. This was conveyed in response to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia's highest caste.

PSSI as the parent of national football and PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) were asked to make an evaluation and consider the existing match rules. Moreover, the spike in cases that many can harm certain teams.

Until now PSSI and LIB still hold match regulations during the pandemic as contained in paragraph 7 article 52. The essence of this verse is that matches will not be postponed if one team still has 14 players ready to compete.

This rule is considered to override the principle of justice so it must be re-evaluated. This step is considered important to take in order to maintain the quality of this season's competition, which has been running for more than 50 percent.

"What if the rules are changed, namely if in one team there are more than five players who are positive for COVID-19, it must be postponed. Once again, this is for the sake of maintaining the league's quality and fairness," Aji said as quoted by Antara.

PSSI and LIB have decided to continue the fourth series competition in Bali despite the positive cases among players and officials. The decision was made based on several considerations.

In addition to player contracts and broadcasting rights, PSSI and LIB said that the competition must continue because the recovery rate of players infected with COVID-19 is very high, reaching 70 percent within 4-5 days.

Aji said that a situation like this should be taken seriously. He describes if the number of infected players in a team is large, then the team concerned will inevitably have to appear with a makeshift squad.

"Now the player is known to be positive for corona one day before the match. In fact, in practice it has been prepared. Of course, the coach has difficulties because the strategy and tactics are not as expected, especially since the core players are absent," said Aji.

Such problems had occurred when Tira Persikabo became the months of Bali United a few days ago. At that time Tira did not have full strength because most of the players were positive.

"I feel sorry for the coach and the players because they were forced to play the match not at full strength. From here, of course, as long as justice is needed, it is unfair if one team appears complete and the other limps,” said Aji.