TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The world’s football governing body, FIFA, has finally decided to suspend the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) for government meddling. The decision was taken during the FIFA Executive Committee meeting on Saturday, May 30, in Zurich, Switzerland, which was chaired by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

“The Executive decided to suspend the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) with immediate effect and until the PSSI would be able to comply with its obligations under arts. 13 and 17 of the FIFA Statutes,” the announcement states on FIFA’s official website.

“This decision resulted from the effective “take over” of the activities of PSSI by the Indonesian authorities.”

Sport Minister, Imam Nachrowi had frozen PSSI on April 17, after the Indonesian football ruling body ignored the Ministry’s warning letters. On May 4, FIFA sent a corespondence to PSSI that says the freezing letter must be revoked before May 29 or PSSI would be sanctioned.

Despite the letter, Indonesian government had not revoked its freezing decision until the set deadline.

As reported by the official website of Cabinet Secretariat, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo supported the Sport Minister decision not to revoke the freezing. The President believes that there should be no problem for Indonesia to be absent from international competitions if the purpose is to improve the national football. According to the President, the improvement should be started by revamping the organisations.

“I believe that when the reformation has completed, our football achievements will continue to improve,” Jokowi said.

ANGGA SUKMAWIJAYA