Before Calculating The VAR Issue, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir Will Prioritize Referee Welfare

PSSI chairman Erick Thohir (center). (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - The application of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) became one of Erick Thohir's promises before being elected Chairman of PSSI. Now many are looking forward to when the promise will be realized.

Responding to this, Erick Thohir did not want to rush. The SOE minister said that his party would prioritize the welfare of the referee before discussing the use of technology such as VAR in Indonesia.

"We will encourage improvements in the refereeing, match system, just counting VAR," said Erick at the GBK Arena, Jakarta, Saturday, February 18.

He then added that the number of referees' income is currently difficult to cover the needs of daily life.

Erick gave an example of a League 2 Rohadi referee who received a fee of IDR 5.5 million per match. Meanwhile, in one music, Rohadi only leads five to seven matches.

In fact, ideally, Erick assessed that referees must work 12-15 matches per season. Rohadi also supports his life by selling tofu.

"From there, he earned Rp. 200 thousand per month while his wife worked as a PAUD teacher in addition with a salary of Rp. 900 thousand per year. Let's give empathy. Don't always blame referees, referees, referees," said the former Inter Milan president.

Erick Thohir asked firmly so that all parties would not make the referee a scapegoat for the damage to national football.

All ranks of the PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) for the 2023-2027 period, Erick ensured, will commit to making decisions based on data and facts if negative things happen in Indonesian football. They will not use power to determine a policy.

"I encourage empathy. We have to make decisions with our hearts, not power. We have to make decisions based on data and facts, then find solutions, not by using power and arrogance," said Erick.