TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Executive Committee (Exco) member of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Arya Sinulingga, responded to the FIFA sanctions against five Indonesian clubs, including Persija Jakarta. He said the federation could not make any statement yet until they receive reports from the concerned clubs.

“We have yet to receive the email, so we cannot respond. We are still waiting,” he said when met at the GBK Arena, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, April 2.

FIFA imposed a registration ban on five Indonesian clubs, namely Persija Jakarta, Persiwa Wamena, Persikab Bandung Regency, Persiraja Banda Aceh, and Sada North Sumatra FC.

According to the official FIFA website, a registration ban is a disciplinary measure imposed on clubs by the FIFA judicial bodies or by the Football Tribunal, which prevents the club in question from registering new players, whether national or international, amateur or professional, for the entire duration of the measure.

Arya clarified that the punishment was issued directly by FIFA to the clubs, and not through PSSI. However, he could not yet confirm any further details regarding the problems affecting the five Indonesian clubs. “We'll ask them later.”

Persija President Director Ambono Janurianto confirmed the FIFA sanction. The management of the Kemayoran Tigers stated that it was due to the club's failure to complete player transfers at the start of the season.

“We will fulfill our obligations with the relevant clubs soon before the new transfer market opens,” Janurianto said in a written statement received by Tempo on Wednesday, April 3.

Based on FIFA's statement, Persija was banned from registering new players from January 26, 2024, until the next three transfer window periods. Meanwhile, Persiwa Wamena received the most severe punishment as they were banned from registering new players from May 12, 2022, until further notice.

RANDY FAUZI FEBRIANSYAH

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