PSSI's Response To TGIPF Recommendation For Malang Kanjuruhan Tragedy

PSSI welcomes FIFA President. (Photo via Antara/M Risyal Hidayat)

JAKARTA - PSSI finally commented on the recommendations of the Joint Independent Fact Finding Team (TGIPF) for the Malang Kanjuruhan Tragedy. In that recommendation, TGIPF appealed to PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan and members of the Executive Committee (Exco) to resign.

It is a form of moral responsibility for the deadly incident at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang. PSSI is considered the party responsible for the tragedy that claimed 133 lives.

PSSI Exco member Vivin Cahyani Sungkono said that her party would follow up on the recommendations from TGIPF after the Indonesian Football Transformation Task Force had evaluated Kanjuruhan Tragedy in Malang.

"We are waiting for the evaluation of the task force," said Vivin after the PSSI and FIFA meeting at the PSSI Office, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 18, 2022, as quoted from Antara.

"What has been evaluated, what has been recommended is PSSI's determination to completely reform football and take real action," she continued.

On October 14, 2022, the Kanjuruhan Tragedy TGIPF issued a recommendation. TGIPF noted that 132 people died (until the recommendation was lowered), then 96 people were seriously injured, 484 people were moderately or lightly injured, some of which could have long-term effects.

The TGIPF recommendation, chaired by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Mahfud MD, has been submitted to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)

TGIPF also recommended that PSSI hold an Extraordinary Congress (KLB) to produce PSSI leadership and management with integrity, professionalism, responsibility and free from conflicts of interest.

Vivin also asked for support from the community for PSSI and the revival of national football.

"Please support and pray for everything to run optimally. Improvements from PSSI can also be enjoyed. As the FIFA President said, with a population of around 270 million people, Indonesia should be a star, at least in the region and the world," said Vivin.

PSSI met with FIFA at the PSSI Office, Jakarta, Tuesday. FIFA was represented by President Gianni Infantino, while PSSI was represented by General Chair Mochamad Iriawan.

Prior to the meeting, FIFA first met with President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday afternoon.

President Joko Widodo and Gianni Infantino also agreed on a number of things, especially regarding the overall transformation of Indonesian football, including ensuring that all aspects of the match run according to FIFA standards.