T

he Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) chief Djohar Arifin Hussin has requested all 18 clubs participating in a breakaway league, Indonesia Super League (ISL), to return to the association’s run league, the Indonesian Premier League.

“It is sad that we have another competition [besides PSSI-sanctioned league]. Please, give us the chance [to host the legal league],” Djohar said at PSSI office in Jakarta on Friday.

“It is such a sad thing to have our own members, the clubs, to participate in the breakaway league. To these clubs, I ask them to come home – PSSI is our home,” he added.

Eighteen clubs reportedly lined up for the ISL, run by PT Liga Indonesia, which kicked off on Thursday, despite the fact that the league has no approval from PSSI to operate.

Last season champion Persipura Jayapura, Persib Bandung, Mitra Kukar and Persidafon Dafonsoro were among these clubs and they had confirmed their stance toward the association.

PSSI disciplinary commission deputy head Catur Agus Saptono said that Persib Bandung had submitted its resignation from the Indonesian Premier League (IPL), which is run by PT Liga Prima Indonesia Sportindo (LPIS), while the other clubs “only made verbal statements”.

Catur also said that the commission would summon Persipura over its absence in the IPL meeting next week.

Persipura refused to join the IPL, citing allegations of PSSI misconduct in the past.

“It is common knowledge for members of the PSSI that, based on our own regulations, a national league should feature 18 clubs that include 14 clubs of the previous season and four promotion clubs,” Persipura secretary Thamrin Sagala told The Jakarta Post via telephone on Friday.

“The PSSI, however, has planned to feature 24 clubs, in which six of them had no previous history playing in any PSSI-sanctioned league, either the national league or first division,” he added, referring to the six clubs appointed by PSSI to play in the IPL.

Thamrin also blamed PT LPIS for implementing 70 percent in share for PSSI and 30 percent for clubs starting this season.

“In the old days, Liga Indonesia offered 99 percent for clubs and one percent in a golden share for the PSSI,” said Thamrin, adding that such conditions harmed sportsmanship.

“So, instead of joining the wrong party, we decided to believe in justice, no matter the consequences,” he said.

As last season’s champion, Persipura has the right to compete in the upcoming Asian Champions League season, but with the current developments the Papuan-based club could lose its rights to compete in the tournament.

Persipura confidents, however, maintain the club’s rightful presence in the Asian Football Confederation’s sanction league. “One way or another, we will participate in the Champions League.”

Over the dualism in the national league, the PSSI disciplinary commission head Benhard Limbong said that the commission is still waiting for the police report.

“We shall wait for clarification from the police, which approved the first match of the breakaway league [on Thursday], to determine further action,” Benhard told the Post.