Red card for politicians
Recent failures can be attributed to years of mismanagement of the national team by the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), whose officials are apparently more focused on politics off the pitch rather than the advancement of the sport itself.
The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is facing criticism and potential red card consequences due to its mismanagement of the national soccer team. The team's failure to advance to the semifinals of this year's ASEAN Championship, formerly known as the AFF Cup, has left Indonesian soccer fans in despair. Despite reaching the fourth round of World Cup qualification, the team faced defeats against Vietnam and only managed a draw against Singapore.
This early exit marks Indonesia's second consecutive group stage elimination in the competition, prolonging the wait for another two years before the team can attempt to win the ASEAN trophy again.
The blame for the disappointing performance has been primarily directed at head coach John Herdman, as well as nervousness among the players. However, the underlying issue lies in the fact that the PSSI's leadership has been plagued by internal conflicts between politicians who have exploited the federation for their own political ambitions.
This constant infighting has led to sanctions from FIFA, which has hindered Indonesia's progress in soccer. Moreover, the management of the teams often takes a backseat, causing mishandling that prioritizes political goals over the advancement of the sport itself and the interests of players and fans.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
