Chairman Of PSSI Nimbrung Lifts AFF U-16 Cup, Netizens: Usually Trophy Is Appointed By Team Captain, Shame

Ketum PSSI when he helped lift the AFF U-16 Cup champion trophy which was won by the Indonesian team. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian U-16 team won the 2022 AFF U-16 Cup after beating Vietnam 1-0. After confirming the title, the trophy was handed over on the podium in the middle of the field by the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Zainudin Amali, and the General Chairperson (Ketum) of PSSI, Mochamad Iriawan.

But there was an unusual moment that happened when the trophy was handed over. The chairman of PSSI actually joined in to lift the trophy.

Instead of giving flexibility to the team captain, Iqbal Gwijangge and his colleagues and U-16 national team officials to lift the trophy, Mochamad Iriawan actually grabbed and lifted the trophy with joy.

This moment looks odd because usually the tradition of lifting the trophy is carried out by the team captain and all the players who go down on the field. The incident later went viral on social media.

A number of accounts on Twitter posted photos of Iriawan with a big smile, lifting the trophy. Spicy comments also hit the man who is familiarly called Iwan Bule.

“Usually… the trophy is lifted by the TEAM CAPTEN. Not the Chairman of PSSI, not Kemenpora and not other officials. You guys SHAME I swear," said the @Mid***7 account while sharing a photo of the celebration on the podium.

The post was later shared by other netizens. The majority also questioned what the PSSI Ketum did.

"Why is he the one who lifts the trophy? the team doesn't even," wrote the account @trwid*****i

"You don't want to miss the stage, @iriawan84, first give the team captain and the new coach to join in," said @bibac****u.

"They really don't deserve to be on the podium let alone lift the trophy!" said @amri****6

"Lhhoooo, what made them champions was the honorable chairman of PSSI and the king of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. They have the right to lift the trophy, even to receive the bonus," commented the account @hend***_***2.