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Liga 2 suspension upheld as PSSI looks ahead to the future
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Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman Erick Thohir (left) takes a picture with his deputy, Zainudin Amali (center) and National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, after a press conference on law enforcement against match fixing in Indonesian soccer at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Feb. 20. The National Police have committed to supporting the PSSI to eliminate mafia practices by preparing a soccer anti-mafia task force. (Courtesy of PSSI/-)
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n a workshop attended by club representatives from Liga 1 and Liga 2, the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) decided on Saturday to uphold the suspension of the current Liga 2 season as the soccer governing body outlines their ambition to transform the Indonesian soccer league into the best in Southeast Asia.
“During the workshop, the clubs have agreed to only discuss the future of the league,” PSSI deputy chairwoman Ratu Tisha said in a press conference in Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday. “[...] The Liga 2 season will resume in November 2023 and end in June 2024, and to fill the void, we’ll prepare a mini tournament [for the Liga 2 clubs].”
The PSSI originally decided to suspend the Liga 2 season in January, citing unpreparedness as many of the stadiums used had yet to meet the more stringent safety requirements put in place after the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy in October 2022. Despite PSSI’s claims that the majority of the Liga 2 clubs approved the suspension, many have come forward to criticize the decision at the time.
This time around, the PSSI has secured the support of the Liga 2 clubs, including Bekasi City FC manager Hamka Hamzah and Persiba Balikpapan president Gede Widiade who have publicly approved the decision.
With the U-20 World Cup set to take place in less than three months, and the kick off for the new Liga 1 season in July, Ratu said the window for the resumption of the current Liga 2 season is closing. As such, the PSSI has decided instead to set their sights on the future of the second-tier league.
“When we’re talking business, an ideal competition, then the goal is to maintain the club’s financial health. If club owners have to keep burning money, then the club won’t be healthy,” said PSSI chairman Erick Thohir.
In order to maximize the commercial potential of Liga 2, the PSSI plans to overhaul the scheduling of the Liga 1 and Liga 2 competitions with minimal overlaps between the two. While PT Liga Indonesia Baru will still serve as the operator for Liga 1, the PSSI is currently in the process of appointing a new operator for Liga 2.
