FIFA issues warning to Indonesian Football Federation President to resign from important position

(NLDO) - President of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) Erick Thohir was forced to resign as President of the National Referee Committee after being warned by FIFA for holding concurrent positions in violation of regulations.

CNN Indonesia reported that Mr. Erick Thohir, President of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI), was forced to resign from his position as Chairman of the National Referee Committee, and was replaced by current Vice President Yoshimi Ogawa (Japanese).

"FIFA warned us. There is no place in the world where the President of a federation is also the President of the Referee Committee," Mr. Erick Thohir admitted.

The fact that the PSSI President is also the President of the National Referee Committee is considered a violation of FIFA regulations, causing many conflicting opinions. FIFA requires the Referee Committee of each federation to operate independently, without being influenced by any organization or individual.

Mr. Thohir explained that the concurrent position was a temporary solution, in the context of the fluctuation of Indonesian football and Mr. Ogawa was not ready to take on this role. The Indonesian billionaire also denied rumors and suspicions of profiteering: "Who would dare bribe me?"

After more than a year as vice-chairman of the Arbitration Commission, Mr. Ogawa was considered ready for the position, making Mr. Thohir ready to resign from the Arbitration Commission.

"If Ogawa had to run the Referee Committee alone in the first year, he would definitely be very stressed because he did not understand the context of Indonesian football. That is why I have to accompany him in this position.

However, that is not allowed next year. FIFA has warned. No president in the world has become a referee committee," Mr. Thohir added.

Mr. Erick Thohir was elected as President of PSSI for the 2022-2026 term. During more than half of his term, he attracted attention with a massive naturalization campaign of a series of players, mainly of Dutch origin, for the national team levels of the "thousand islands country" (both men and women).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/fifa-phat-canh-cao-buoc-chu-tich-ldbd-indonesia-tu-chuc-khoi-vi-tri-quan-trong-19625071406483175.htm