PSM Makassar And Persija Jakarta Don't Let Players Go To The National Team, Erick Thohir Gives Strong Warning

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir. (Photo: Cosmas Kopong Beda/VOI)

JAKARTA The issue of PSM Makassar and Persija Jakarta refusing to release their players for the Indonesian national team to face the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup is getting hotter.

The U-23 Indonesian national team departed for Thailand without Rizky Ridho who was not released by Persija and Dzaky Asraf who were allowed to join the national team by PSM.

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir said that the two clubs' stubbornness would be a special note for their institutions. The note in question is the renovation of the stadiums of the two clubs involving the government.

"I'll note it later. This is a stadium renovation by the government of 1.9 trillion. I'm not threatening this, yes. I want to build a club that loves Indonesia," Erick said when met at Field A, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 16.

Erick said that currently the government is facilitating the renovation of the stadium for PSM to have. Meanwhile, for Persija, improvements are being made at the Jakarta International Stadium.

"If clubs can not renovate up to 1.9 trillion? Can clubs build large stadiums? Doesn't it. What does that mean? It's a balance between the government and the private sector. We have to support each other," he added.

PSM Makassar and Persija did not release their players on the grounds that the AFF U-23 Cup was not the official FIFA calendar. In addition, their players are needed to navigate the ongoing Indonesian League 1 competition.

The reason the AFF Cup was not included in the FIFA agenda also angered PSSI Technical Director Indra Sjafri. Moreover, PSSI is considered not to understand FIFA regulations regarding the release of players for the needs of the national team.

"I followed (this polemic) from the start. We PSSI didn't understand the FIFA agenda. Very understanding. There's no need to teach soldiers to line up like that," said Indra.

Indra further said that the club should also understand the estuary of the guidance they carry out. All players who are at the club's main goal is for the national team.

"We only need two weeks of the AFF tournament. Cook like China can support things like this (but we don't). That's what the PSSI General Chair regrets. Yes, we are the ones on the field who are difficult," said Indra.

The 2023 AFF U-23 Cup will take place in Thailand from Thursday, August 17 tomorrow to August 26. Indonesia is in Group B with Malaysia and Timor Leste.

Shin Tae-yong's squad will start the preliminary round on Friday, August 18 against Malaysia. Two days later, Garuda Troops got their turn to meet Timor Leste.