FIFA Tells Indonesian Soccer Association to Resolve Issues or Face Suspension

FIFA has told under-pressure Indonesian soccer federation to resolve internal conflicts and related problems by Monday or face suspension

Soccer in the Asian country has been plagued by infighting between the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) and the breakaway Indonesian Soccer Rescue Committee (KPSI) for control of the sport

The two factions, who have their own leagues, signed a memorandum of understanding in June at the headquarters of the Asian Football Confederation where they agreed to run one league next season and hold a congress by December 10.

FIFA Secretary-General, Jerome Valcke wrote a letter to sports minister Andi Mallarangeng, saying Indonesia faced indefinite sanctions if the row is not resolved at Monday’s meeting.

“…in case of failure, the case would be brought before the FIFA Executive Committee on December 14, 2012, in order to determine the sanctions, which could go as far as an indefinite suspension,” Valcke reportedly wrote in the letter.

“Unfortunately yet again, it seems that the set objectives will not be reached and we, therefore, anticipate that the PSSI will be sanctioned.

“With the deadline approaching and in the current situation, we deem it important that the Indonesian authorities be made aware of the likely sanctions to be imposed on Indonesia.

“We are fully aware that Indonesia is passionate about soccer and that sanctions will have a major impact. We have tried tirelessly to solve the problems, but we are afraid that there will be no choice unless the objectives of FIFA and the AFC are met or that significant progress has been made.”

A suspension could cause problems with Indonesia’s participation in the qualifying tournament for the 2015 Asian Cup, which begins in February.

Indonesia’s early exit from the ongoing AFF Suzuki Cup has also renewed calls for a truce between the factions. Many of their players were blocked from playing because they had contracts with supposed ‘rebel’ KPSI Indonesian clubs.

On Monday, the death of Paraguayan striker Diego Mendieta from a viral infection heaped further pressure on the PSSI, with world players’ union FIFPro criticising the “structural mismanagement” of the Indonesian clubs.

Mendieta, who played for Indonesian club Persis Solo last year, wanted to return home but was unable to do so as the club owed him four months’ wages.

The PSSI refused to pay Mendieta’s family the money owed by the club as the team competed in a league it they did not recognise.{jcomments on}