TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The president of the Indonesian football association or PSSI Erick Thohir stated that the measure to eradicate the football mafia in the country has entered a a new stage. PSSI and the National Police have formed a Police Anti-Football Mafia Task Force alongside an Independent Anti-Football Mafia Task Force.

"FIFA and the government aim to push for the eradication of match-fixing in Indonesia's football scene," he said during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Erick expressed his gratitude toward President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and the national police chief for their support in exposing the football mafia indiscriminately. "Thus, PSSI and I are ready to be probed if needed. PSSI will start transparent," he said.

Erick also stressed that the cooperation between PSSI and the police has been going well, proven by the recent success of the U-17 World Cup. "The national police chief always reminds me to maintain the dynamics of the supporters [of football] to ensure safety for them to go home safely," he said.

Meanwhile, the national police chief Police-General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that the formation of the Anti-Football Mafia Task Force is the implementation of Jokowi's policy to develop a conducive football climate in Indonesia.

"To create a fair competition, we have agreed to cooperate with the Anti-Football Mafia Task Force in the law enforcement department to better the football climate going forward," he said.

The head of the Independent Anti-Football Mafia Maruar Sirait admitted that match-fixing eradication in Indonesia is no easy feat. The task force has received many reports in regard to match-fixing, he said.

"We believe that, under the [national police chief], the cases would be handled as long as there are facts and evidence," he added.

Task force member Najwa Shihab stated that her side has been tasked to receive, collect, manage, and investigate reports of match-fixing. Match-fixing, she said, happened because of money. "One of the most adequate therapies against [football mafia] is to collaborate with law enforcers," she said.

Najwa also stressed that public support and participation to maintain the integrity of Indonesia's football is critical.

The task force has discovered several cases of match-fixing. Earlier, eight suspects involved in the match-fixing case have been apprehended, with one of them notoriously hard to catch.

The head of the Police Anti-Football Mafia Task Force Inspector General of Police Asep Adi Suheri explained that there are four suspects apprehended on Wednesday concerning an Rp481 billion online gambling site. The money, he said, is even used to fund an unnamed football club.

"We inform that there are four [football] referees and one donor, VW, that we named suspects in the match-fixing case," he concluded.

NURDIN SALEH

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