The Indonesian Police did not issue the crowd permission on consideration that the number of COVID-19 infection cases are still high.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) decided to postpone the resumption of the Indonesian football league’s Liga 1 and Liga 2 for 2020 season, over the police’s non-issuance of permission for crowds at the competition.

"The Indonesian Police did not issue a permission for crowds on grounds that the COVID-19 infection cases are still high. We also realize the fact on the field. Hence, the PSSI respects and can understand the decision," PSSI Chairman Mochamad Iriawan stated during a virtual press conference here on Tuesday.

Iriawan noted that the PSSI perceived the police's policy was focused on ensuring public safety.

However, the postponement is expected to be effective only for a month, as further postponement will have a negative impact on development of the country's football.

"The PSSI has sought for postponing (the competitions) only until next month since if we resume the competition in November 2020 and complete it in March 2021, we still have time to prepare for the U-20 World Cup," he elaborated.

It will be difficult for the association to resume the competition in December or further, as the U-20 FIFA World Cup will commence in May 2021, he pointed out.

On the other hand, cancelation of the competition will affect Indonesia's participation in football competitions under the AFC and FIFA.

"However, the PSSI respects the decision taken by the government and police," he noted.

He urged all players, coaches, officials, football clubs, and supporters to stay optimistic and respect the decision.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali applauded PSSI's decision to postpone the 2020 season of Liga 1 and Liga 2.

"I am upbeat that all stakeholders in the country's football would understand the decision of the association. Hopefully, in the next month, we would be able to see an improvement in the situation, so the competition can be resumed," he affirmed.

The PSSI has planned to resume the Liga 1 competition from October 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021, in Java Island, after months of delay owing to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Liga 2 competition will be held from October 17 to December 5.

Liga 1 was halted in mid-March after the country reported its first COVID-19 cases and after only the third week into the current season.

Earlier, the Indonesian Police confirmed that it did not issue crowd permission for the Indonesian football league Liga 1 and Liga 2 planned to be resumed on October 1, 2020.

"Regarding the Indonesian football league Liga 1 and 2 that will resume from October 1, 2020, the Indonesian Police did not issue any crowd permission," a spokesman of the Indonesian Police Insp. Gen Argo Yuwono revealed.

Yuwono noted that the police has at least three reasons behind the issuance of the permission for Indonesia's professional football divisions, the first being that the COVID-19 infection rate remains high in Indonesia. "The number of infection cases has continued to increase, he pointed out.

The second rationale behind the issuance was since the police had earlier stated that it would not issue the crowd permission at all levels. Third, the police and the military have focused on Operation Justice to support local governments in the implementation of COVID-19 health protocols.

Related news: No fans allowed at Liga 1, 2 matches: police

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Translator: Michael Siahaan, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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