Criticized For Participating In Lifting The AFF U-16 Trophy, PSSI Chairman: I'm Black And Blue Protecting The National Team, But It's Up To Netizens

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

JAKARTA - Chairman of PSSI, Mochamad Iriawan, finally spoke about the controversy that he took part in lifting the 2022 AFF U-16 Cup trophy. He revealed the reasons why he helped lift the trophy at that moment.

The man who is familiarly called Iwan Bule admitted that he was asked by AFF President Khiev Sameth to get on the podium. He also said that his actions were purely due to euphoria.

Meanwhile, to lift the trophy, he admitted that he was asked by the captain of the Indonesian U-16 team. "Iqbal (captain of the U-16 national team) also asked me to lift the trophy. So I think what is wrong," said Iriawan, as reported by Antara, Monday, August 15.

"I don't mean anything, this is just euphoria, especially since I've never been in my leadership, Indonesia won the tournament. So it's natural, there is no other purpose," he said again.

He then boasted, willing to escort the U-16 team in order to present the championship title. "I am guarding the national team until it bleeds. People don't know that, but again it's up to the netizens," he said.

"The netizens didn't know that we were escorting the children while in Yogyakarta for almost a month, so that the national team could give their best, so that everyone would be happy," he continued.

Therefore, he also invited the public to jointly appreciate the success of the U-16 team rather than fuss over something unnecessary.

Previously, netizens poked fun at the PSSI Chair and Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali who took part in lifting the AFF U-16 Cup trophy. Whereas the trophy is usually appointed by the team captain as a tribute to the players and coaches who have struggled on the field.