JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesian football's long-running struggle against corruption has been reignited with authorities promising a new crackdown after a senior official was caught trying to bribe a coach, the latest scandal in a league scarred by mismanagement and deadly hooliganism.
But, dogged by years of match-fixing, violence and corruption rife at all levels of the game, analysts say the Southeast Asian country needs to do more than "lip service" to tackle the endemic problems.
On Dec 3, an executive member of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) resigned after a popular television talk show broadcast a recording of him offering the coach of Madura FC a bribe of approximately US$10,000 (S$13,673) to throw a second division game.
Hidayat, who like many Indonesians only uses one name, has been handed a three-year ban from football and fined by a PSSI disciplinary committee.
"Match-fixing exists everywhere, in league 1, 2 and 3. The problem is that the match-fixing issue has never been solved and (perpetrators) punished properly," football analyst Akmal Marhali told AFP.
The PSSI announced the establishment of a special task force to address allegations of match-fixing following the scandal, promising firm action against cheats.
But critics like Marhali say there needs to be more than just "lip service" to solve a problem that so far seems to be out of the grasp of Indonesian authorities.
"Perpetrators feel like they have impunity because there is no law enforcement," Marhali said.
Allegations of match-fixing have swirled around Indonesian football for decades.
Indonesian defender Mursyid Effendi was given a lifetime ban by Fifa after scoring a deliberate own goal in a Tiger Cup match against Thailand in 1998.
The manager of Borneo-based Bontang FC, Camara Fode, received a lifetime ban for ordering his team to lose against PSLS Lhokseumawe, from Aceh, in a Premier League game in 2013. Players from both teams were also suspended.
The following year, several players from both PSS Sleman and PSIS Semarang were banned for life after scoring five deliberate own goals in the final minutes of the match to avoid a playoff clash.
Long-time fans have become so used to mismanagement and corruption in the game that match-fixing is considered an "open secret", Dex Glenniza, managing editor of website Pandit Football, told AFP.
Players, referees, and club administrators are all involved in rigging matches, he said, adding that although gambling is illegal in Indonesia, fans often bet through international gambling websites or local bookies.
Glenniza said funding shortfalls for player salaries and club operations, conflicts of interest within the PSSI and weak law enforcement have all made the game an "easy target" for crime syndicates.
Azwan Karim, who served as secretary general of the PSSI between 2014 and 2016, said the PSSI could not tackle the problem alone.
"The PSSI can only use its football judicial procedures," he told AFP.
"To have a deterrent effect in place, the government should be involved - the police especially."
While it has a low international profile, Indonesia has attracted some Premier League players, including former Chelsea star Michael Essien and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Didier Zokora.
But Indonesian football has been tarnished on the global stage by a host of problems over the years - including months of unpaid wages and the deaths of at least two foreign players who were left unable to afford medical care.
An explosive row between the domestic association and government prompted Fifa to ban Indonesia from international competition in 2015. The ban was lifted last year.
As if to underline the game's struggle with corruption, former PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid once ran the organisation from his jail cell where he was serving time on unrelated graft charges.
Indonesia has in recent years also gained a reputation as Asia's most violent football nation.
In September, 23-year-old Persija Jakarta fan Haringga Sirla was clubbed to death by supporters of arch-rival Persib Bandung outside a stadium in the Javan city of Bandung.
PSSI vice chairman Joko Driyono said the association had a zero tolerance approach to match-fixing, and was ready to work with law enforcement authorities on the issue.
Yet, some observers of the Indonesian game are dubious this will result in firm action.
"No more cherry-picking, anyone who breaks the ethical code and integrity of football must be punished," Marhali, who runs football watchdog Save Our Soccer, said.
"The PSSI should no longer shield those who are involved in match-fixing - we know that some of those involved are PSSI people."
Perez heads Newcastle closer to Premier League safety. 12 Apr 2019. AFP / Adrian DENNIS Newcastle's Ayoze Perez heads the winner at Leicester.
Perez heads Newcastle towards safety - premierleague.com
PARIS • Paris Saint-Germain may have clinched their long-expected sixth Ligue 1 title in the past seven seasons, but that triumph cannot mask the French club's shortcomings on the European stage where results have failed to match their huge investments.
Title cannot soothe PSG's pain in Europe - theworldnews.net
Fabio Quagliarella became the oldest ever player to score for Italy as the 36-year-old converted two penalties in a crushing 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win by the Azzurri over Liechtenstein on Tuesday.
Quagliarella becomes oldest goalscorer in Italy history
Brighton & Hove Albion women's first-team manager Hope Powell was disappointed with her side's 1-1 draw against Yeovil Town this evening, and admitted she saw the match as two points lost. Victoria Williams gave Albion the lead, and the team had multiple chances to extend their lead before Yeovil eq
Barcelona suffered a shock defeat at Real Sociedad to give their title rivals hope, with Wolfsburg the only other quarter-finalists who did not take three points on Saturday.
Anumanthan Kumar - Wikipedia
a great 'keeper, a fine human So I am glad he saved my header - because that act was the start of a friendship between us that I will always treasure. Rest in peace, my friend.
How Much Cash Should You Keep in the Bank? - Investopedia
(Reuters) - Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says he voted for Manchester City's Raheem Sterling to be named PFA player of the year. Van Dijk is one of the favourites for the award after
Sterling gets Van Dijk's vote for PFA player of the year
nysepost.com/sterling-gets-van-dijks-vote-for-pfa-player-of-the-year-379084
Sterling gets Van Dijk's vote for PFA player of the year Апр 11 2019 Virgil van Dijk revealed recently that he voted for Raheem Sterling , his biggest rival for the individual award this season.
Sterling gets Van Dijk's vote for PFA player of the year
Substitute Javier Hernandez scored a late brace including a stoppage-time winner to help West Ham United beat Huddersfield Town 4-3 in a roller-coaster Premier League clash on Saturday. The Mexico international, whose diving header had made it 3-3 with six minutes left, nodded the ball in again from Felipe Anderson's cross to send the London
West Ham leave it late as 'Chicharito' double downs spirited
global.espn.com/football/report?gameId=513534
Get a report of the West Ham United vs. Huddersfield Town 2018/2019 English Premier League football match. West Ham leave it late as 'Chicharito' double downs
The post Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four appeared first on The Himalayan Times. Share Next story David Warner speaks publicly for the first time in months, but doesn't say much
Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four
Victory over Man City would be biggest FA Cup shock ever, says Newport boss Flynn. Newport County Manager Michael Flynn during the Sky Bet League Two match between Newport County and Milton
Victory over Man City would be biggest FA Cup shock ever
PSG star Edinson Cavani doubtful for Manchester United clash February 10, 2019 by Football Paradise Staff Reporter 0 Edinson Cavani could miss Paris St Germain's Champions League clash with Manchester United due to a hip injury.
PSG star Edinson Cavani doubtful for Manchester United clash
Brazil star Neymar denies claims he raped a woman in a Paris hotel and says he was 'set-up' as he shares WhatsApp messages sent between the pair in a seven-minute Instagram video
Neymar denies rape accusation, calls it 'extortion
Football: Palace's Zaha banned for referee sarcastic clap
0 comments:
Post a Comment