Turmoil in the upper echelons of Indonesian football

The Indonesian football elite is in turmoil after the president of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, was appointed as the Minister of Youth and Sports. This raises questions about his ability to hold two important positions simultaneously.

Mr. Erick Thohir answers questions from the press - Photo: CNN INDONESIA

During the handover ceremony at the Office of the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports on the morning of September 18, Mr. Erick Thohir affirmed that he will comply with all decisions from the World Football Federation (FIFA) regarding the issue of him holding two positions at the same time.

"If FIFA asks me to resign, I will resign" (President of the Indonesian Football Federation - PV), Mr. Erick firmly declared. He emphasized that each international sports federation has its own regulations and he will respect that.

President Prabowo Subianto's appointment of Erick Thohir as Indonesia's Minister of Youth and Sports to replace Dito Ariotedjo has created a significant change in the country's sports leadership.

Immediately after the appointment ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent his congratulations to Mr. Erick.

“As PSSI President, he has done an excellent job and I am confident that he will bring leadership and vision to this new role. Good luck my friend, in your efforts to bring sports and football to the young generation of Indonesia,” Infantino said.

Despite concerns about bias in holding both roles, Mr Erick Thohir pledged to treat all sports fairly.

“I was the President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and there is no bias between sports. Certainly, all the Youth and Sports Ministers are working towards the same goal,” he shared.

Now, the future of the PSSI presidency depends entirely on FIFA's decision, and this could create a big upheaval for Indonesian football.

THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bien-dong-noi-thuong-tang-bong-da-indonesia-20250918143826071.htm