Liga 1 2023/2024 Rolls July, VAR Officially Used February

Director of PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB), Ferry Paulus (right). (Photo: Doc. New Indonesian League)

JAKARTA - The 2023/2024 Liga 1 competition will start July 1 by presenting a new breakthrough in the form of video assistant referee (VAR). But in fact, the technology will be used in the half season or in February.

This news was confirmed directly by the Director of PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB), Ferry Paulus. At the launch of Liga 1 2023/2024 Ferry Paulus also said, before being officially used, there would be a trial period for using VAR.

"We are also preparing for VAR, on June 20 it is kickoff (for training). Insha Allah in February it can be carried out in all stadiums," said Ferry Paulus.

The trial for using VAR before it was officially used was also stated by the General Chairperson (Ketum) of PSSI, Erick Thohir. He said the use of the technology could be a step to present a more luxurious international competition.

"VAR will be an international standard show, God willing, in February it can run. Training from PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) has started in the next few weeks," said Erick Thohir.

The use of VAR in Liga 1 clearly costs not a few things, which was confirmed by Ferry Paulus. However, the presence of VAR in the highest caste competition of Indonesian football is an effort to improve quality and present an interesting spectacle.

Ferry Paulus said, in order to maximize the use of VAR, the infrastructure around the stadium should also receive attention so that it gets better.

"The investment (for VAR) is not small, but after the investment earlier, it is much more important that the facilities and infrastructure from the stadium are also repaired," said Ferry.

"This (stadium infrastructure) will be intervened by the government, so we make improvements, improvements, improvements so that it can make an interesting spectacle," he continued.

PSSI and PT LIB's efforts to improve the quality of the country's competition reflect the slump in the Indonesian League ranking at the Southeast Asian level. Therefore boosting the position will be pursued by transformation.

"It is true what was conveyed by the Chairman of PSSI, Mr. Erick Thohir, that our football had to advance to class. So the first time Mr. Erick served as Chairman, we have been reduced to carry out the transformation," explained Ferry Paulus.