DPR Commission X Asks PSSI To Take Firm Action On Controversial League 1 Referees

League 1 referee illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Commission X of the House of Representatives has asked the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to take firm action against the controversial League 1 referee. The reason is, until the 28th week of the competition this season, the referee's performance continues to reap the sharp spotlight of many groups. Moreover, the League 1 competition enters crucial weeks to determine the competition in the relegation zone and the championship path.

“The quality of League 1 referees has to be admitted that there has not been much improvement. Many controversial decisions that cost many teams. It is only natural that many League 1 team officials and supporters have asked PSSI for firmness so that the referee and assistant referees work properly," said Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Syaiful Huda, Friday, March 4. Huda then revealed that several controversial decisions of the League 1 referees appeared to be seen in the 27th week of matches.

In the Persiraja Banda Aceh vs Barito Putra match, the controversial decision of the referee and assistant referee appeared when they stated that Persiraja Jabar striker Sharza was caught offside. Whereas in the replay, it is clear that West Java's Sharza is still on the side when receiving feedback from his colleague Arya Putra in the Barito Putra penalty box.

"This decision had made the coaches of the two teams tense because one felt aggrieved so that he attacked the other," he said.

The decision is more controversial, continued Huda, seen in the match Madura United vs. Persebaya Surabaya, on Monday, February 28. At that time the referee was reluctant to blow the whistle indicating a violation when Persebaya Surabaya striker Samsul Arif fell in the penalty box due to being slashed by Madura United captain Fachrudin in 71 minutes. Even though the distance of referee Agus Fauzan who led the match was only about two meters from the location of the violation.

"This violation should have resulted in a penalty kick for Persebaya because it was clearly intentional to stop Samsul Arif's movement," Huda explained.

The PKB politician said that the incident in Week 27 of Liga I was a form of a long series of controversies created by the field court. According to him, this situation must be immediately followed up by the federation, especially since Liga 1 enters crucial weeks to determine which teams will enter the relegation zone or those who compete on the championship path.

"We hope that our federation, in this case PSSI, will act quickly, grounded the court judges who were proven guilty to provide security for competition participants if they can compete fairly in winning League 1 or staying in League 1," he said.

Huda assesses that the current burden of Liga 1 participating clubs is quite heavy. Because they have to spend deep enough to be able to compete and survive in the competition in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand they do not get adequate income due to restrictions on supporters to the stadium. "If they are in a bloody condition to survive in Liga 1, how disappointed they are when their attempt to win is unfairly tackled by the match officials," he explained.

Huda also collects PSSI's promise to improve the quality of field judges. He said that the promise to bring in a technical director of referees from abroad, which was recommended by the AFC until yesterday, has not been realized. In fact, the presence of the technical director of referees is intended to evaluate and improve the quality of the performance of the leading referees for League 1 matches.

"In addition, efforts to add assistant referees on the side of each team's goal until week 28 of Liga 1 have also not been realized. Do not let the federation can only present the promise of heaven without concrete realization on the ground," concluded Huda.