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Gusti Randa named new PSSI chief
Soccer fans and activists have expressed doubt over the Indonesian Soccer Association’s (PSSI) commitment to clean up its act after Gusti Randa, one of its executive committee members, was elected acting chief, replacing Joko Driyono, who was named a suspect for allegedly masterminding attempts to destroy evidence of misconduct
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Soccer fans and activists have expressed doubt over the Indonesian Soccer Association’s (PSSI) commitment to clean up its act after Gusti Randa, one of its executive committee members, was elected acting chief, replacing Joko Driyono, who was named a suspect for allegedly masterminding attempts to destroy evidence of misconduct.
Gusti has been widely accused as being one of several PSSI officials standing by idly while top brass of the association committed various violations, including match-fixing.
Soccer observer Akmal Marhali of the Save Our Soccer (SOS) watchdog said Gusti’s appointment was a serious violation of the association’s statute, since the position of acting chief should have been given to Iwan Budianto, the current deputy chief, instead.
Akmal explained that the association’s statute stipulated that the deputy chief would assume control should the chief be unable to carry out his duties, until an extraordinary meeting was called.
“If Iwan resigns or cannot carry out the duties either, then it is allowed for members of the executive committee to decide who of them will take up the job. And [that decision] must be signed by all members, not by Joko Driyono, [like] Gusti’s appointment, which was directly instructed by Joko Driyono.” He told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Iwan, he added, had organized the President’s Cup and the Indonesian Cup as the chief executive.
PSSI executive committee member Refrizal had previously stated that Iwan would automatically replace Joko Driyono in accordance with the PSSI statute, as reported by tribunnews.com.
Another observer, Emerson Yuntho, said it was hard to imagine any effective decisions from Gusti to reform the country’s soccer landscape, as he felt the former soap opera actor had not done much to solve match-fixing cases.
“Right now, what the association needs is an extraordinary meeting to develop systemic improvements and elect a new head of the association,” he said.
An extraordinary meeting, Emerson went on, would play a pivotal role in finding the right man to lead the PSSI in its attempt to improve.
“We will see the true colors of PSSI voters during the extraordinary meeting, namely whether they head into the right direction or not,” he said.
PSSI voters include club owners and managers, the heads of the PSSI’s 34 provincial branches and the association’s top management.
Commenting on the criticism, Gusti said it did not bother him much and was just the result of different perspectives.
“I find the pros and cons are part of the support for the PSSI in its attempt to improve. One thing is for sure, the PSSI will support every attempt to eradicate violations like match-fixing,” he said.
Gusti was also recently appointed commissioner of the country’s soccer league operator, PT Liga Indonesia Baru.
In his new role, Gusti faces two major tasks, namely organizing the association’s extraordinary meeting (KLB) and securing the future of the country’s soccer league. The KLB will be focused on finding a new PSSI chief.
“Once the new management is formed, the next big thing is mulling the department of integrity, as mandated by [international soccer governing body] FIFA, to assist the association in its supervising authority,” he said.
The country’s top-tier soccer league, Liga 1, is scheduled to start between May 1 and May 8.
The anti-match-fixing task force has named 16 people suspects in connection with alleged match-fixing practices in every league under the PSSI. The latest suspect is former PSSI executive committee member Hidayat, who stands accused of playing a role in an attempt to bribe Madura FC manager Januar Herwanto during an away match between Madura FC and PSS Sleman.
