Observers Said That The Dynamics Of PSSI Could Influence Indonesian Preparations In The Face Of 3 Big Tournaments

Indonesian U-20 national team midfielder Marselino Ferdinand

Football observer Tommy Welly is worried that the dynamics being faced by PSSI could affect Indonesia's preparations for three major tournaments next year, namely the U-20 Asian Cup, U-20 World Cup, and 2023 Asian Cup.

According to him, PSSI, which is in a stable and normal condition, is certainly not easy to prepare for the big event, especially when it is in the middle of a chaotic tragedy.

"Moreover, if in a situation like now. There is pressure on PSSI, especially in the aftermath of the Kanguruhan Tragedy," said Tommy, quoted from Antara, Tuesday.

He assessed that the recommendations of the Joint Independent Fact Finding Team (TGIPF) of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy seemed to take football hostage because it could not hold a competition if it had not held an extraordinary congress (KLB).

"Not to mention the recommendations from Komnas HAM, which also recommends freezing. Those are very disturbing things, issues of conflict that are very disturbing," he said, who he considered instead gave birth to a number of things that should be highlighted.

"First, according to the rules, it is impossible to ignore the elements of football, because the pressure will be considered to have intervened," he said.

"Secondly, for PSSI, it must really disturb the concentration of national team preparation which is in normal conditions to focus on preparation, especially in the current conditions. So can KLB issues affect these preparations? Yes, it is very possible," he continued.

When FIFA came to Indonesia post-Trage in Kanjuruhan, the parent organization of world football also gave recommendations, but at that time FIFA gave recommendations for technical matters.

The things in question are technical transformations and FIFA provides strengthening points, including security procedures, scheduling, and benchmarks.

"That's what then should now be the 'leading sector'," said Tommy. "However, domestic recommendations, the pressure is instead changing leadership in the organization. Now this is what must actually be considered wisely because it will interfere with the preparations of the national team, that's for sure."

The U-20 Asian Cup will be held from March 1-18 in Uzbekistan, the U-20 World Cup from May 20-June 11 in Indonesia, while the 2023 Asian Cup will be held from June 16 to July 16, 2023.