Call The League 1 Kick-off Schedule On July 23 The Most Ideal, PSSI Chairman: Must Consider The Many National Team Agendas

PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - PSSI has confirmed that the 2022-2023 Indonesian Liga 1 season starts on July 23, 2022, and is planned to end in April 2023.

This was confirmed by PSSI after holding a virtual manager meeting with representatives of the 18 teams participating in the latest Indonesian League 1 season, Monday.

"The kick-off scheduled on July 23, 2022, is the most ideal time for all Liga 1 teams. We have to consider many national team agendas and others", said PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan, quoted from Antara, Tuesday.

Iriawan added that his party had also coordinated with the government, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Health, the COVID-19 Task Force, and the National Police Headquarters, regarding the implementation of the competition.

Meanwhile, President Director of PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) Akhmad Hadian Lukita admitted that many activities had to be adjusted to the schedule of Liga 1.

Some of them are the FIFA international matches on 19-27 September 2022 and 20-28 March 2023.

"Not to mention the 2022 AFF Cup which will be held on December 23, 2022-15 January 2023", said Akhmad Hadian.

In essence, the man who is familiarly called Luluk continued, PSSI and LIB wanted the 2022-2023 Liga 1 schedule not to burden the participating teams.

Previously, the 2021-2022 Indonesian League 1 was held in August 2021-March 2022, where Bali United came out as champions.

At that time, Liga 1 was rolling with a series format, without spectators and the application of bubbles (bubbles) because it took place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, in the 2022-2023 season, Liga 1 will certainly return to its original format, namely home-away, and can be attended again by spectators at the stadium as the pandemic is getting more under control in the country.