The National Police’s antimatch-fixing task force has questioned top officials from the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) over the past week on illicit practices in the nation’s soccer leagues.

The big names include deputy chief Joko Driyono, secretary-general Ratu Tisha, treasurer Berlinton Siahaan, deputy treasurer Irfan and executive committee member Papat Yunisal, Antara reported.

They were questioned regarding a report by Persibara Banjarnegara manager Lasmi Indriyani on match-fixing practices in the national second-tier Liga 2 soccer league. They were questioned at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta.

Indonesia has three national leagues, namely top-tier Liga 1, second-tier Liga 2 and third-tier Liga 3.

Tisha was cross-examined as a witness for 13 hours from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning, while Berlinton was questioned on Monday for nine hours.

Tisha, the first female secretary-general of the association, said on Thursday she did not recall the number of questions she was asked, but pointed out several things, including a query on how she was appointed to the role.

“I explained to them about the PSSI’s efforts to tackle abuse of power and other violations,” said Tisha, adding that she had also revealed the association’s agenda for this year to the interviewers.

Tisha said she did not know if she would be questioned again by the task force. “Nevertheless, we will cooperate at any time, it depends on the police.”

Meanwhile, Joko, Papat and Irfan were scheduled to be questioned on Thursday, Friday and another time next week.

“The plan is to scrutinize some of the PSSI’s top officials that include the secretary-general, deputy chief, treasurer and members of the executive committee. We need some information from them,” said police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo.

Dedi went on to say that the information included the leagues’ regulations, competition schedule and referee management.

“The task force is also investigating the possibility of financial aberration in the running of the league,” he added.

Dedi said the task force had found evidence of match fixing in Liga 2. The task force would also dig deeper into such practices in Liga 1 and Liga 3.

“The access point to investigate Liga 3 was a match between Persibara and Persekabpas. We used a match between Madura FC and PS Sleman for Liga 2.”

“We’re going forward in investigating Liga 1,” he added.

Suspicions of match fixing in the nation’s soccer leagues were raised months ago and became the talk of the town. The National Police’s establishment of an antimatch-fixing task force was lauded at the time.

As of Thursday, the task force had named 11 suspects accused of involvement in match fixing. Ten were allegedly involved in fixing Persibara’s match against Pasuruan.

The 10 suspects are PSSI executive committee member Johan Lin Eng, former member of the PSSI referee committee Priyanto and his daughter Anik Yuni Sari, PSSI disciplinary committee member Dwi Irianto — also known as “Mbah Putih” for his white hair, Liga 3 referee Nurul Safarid and PSSI refereeing staff member Mansyur Lestahulu, substitute referee Cholid Hariyanto, match officer Deni Sugiarto and referee assistants Purwanto and Muhammad Ramdan.

Apart from the Persibara versus Pasuruan match-fixing case, the police have also named Mojokerto Putra club owner Vigit Waluyo a suspect for allegedly bribing Dwi to promote his club to Liga 2.

The suspects have been charged under Law No. 11/1980 on bribery and Law No. 8/2010 on money laundering.

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