TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Professional Sports Agency (BOPI) said that the warning letter from the International Football Federation (FIFA) to the Youth and Sports Ministry is an insult against national sovereignty. "FIFA failed to understand national sovereignty in administering law and regulation to its people," the agency’s statement reads.

"FIFA needs to realize that national law applies to national football, amid FIFA’s regulation," the statement adds.

Previously, FIFA sent a letter, signed by Secretary General Jerome Vackle, to Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi. FIFA emphasized that BOPI has no rights to intervene the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI). "Failure to do so will cause FIFA to consider sanctioning PSSI," he said.

BOPI, on the other hand, claimed that it does not mean to intervene PSSI, but to help league operator to fit in the regulation standards as established by FIFA and AFC. "Therefore, FIFA should appreciate and support the effort," said the Secretary General of BOPI.

TRI SUHARMAN