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."
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is facing disciplinary action for his celebration after one of the three goals he scored in last week's 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Sergio Aguero's 20th Premier League goal of the season left Manchester City just two wins from the title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday. Aguero, who has now
Aguero goal and another clean sheet inches City closer to the
Reds can deal with defeat well: Klopp, Football News & Top
Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting.
The hard part is over for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side outclassed rival Manchester United at Old Trafford to go a point ahead of Liverpool, with each having three matches left in an
TheWolverine.com - michigan.rivals.com
Football: Southampton stay up after thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth SOUTHAMPTON, England (REUTERS) - Southampton secured their Premier League status for another year after a thrilling 3-3 home draw with Bournemouth on Saturday (April 27) as Cardiff City slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Fulham.
Ralph Hasenhuttl: Southampton task more difficult than taking
And 7th Heaven is the proud 20-year partner with MFR Records, home to Rush Borda, Boy Big, Rappin Twan, Felix Mitchell, and, of course, The Mayor of Kansas City, Rich the Factor himself! 7th Heaven has a tradition of attracting true music lovers of all types, fans that really know their stuff.
Watch 7th Heaven Online: How to Stream Full Episodes | Heavy.com
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - OGC Nice v Olympique Lyonnais - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - February 10, 2019 Lyon's Ferland Mendy in action with Nice's Patrick Burner REUTERS/Eric Gaillard(Reuters) - France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that Olympique Lyonnais left back Ferland Mendy will join Real Madrid.
Football: Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach
worldsportstale.com/soccer/football-ferland-mendy-set-for-real-move-says-france-coach-deschamps/
Football: Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps 06/11/2019 Comments Off on Football: Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps MADRID (REUTERS) - France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday (June 10) that Olympique Lyonnais left-back Ferland Mendy will join Real Madrid.
Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps
LONDON (REUTERS) - Raheem Sterling's hat-trick in Manchester City's 3-1 win over Watford lifted the champions four points clear at the top of the Premier League after Tottenham Hotspur's challenge
Man City surge clear through Sterling as Spurs suffer - Reuters
Maranzhe Hungry Lions are still celebrating after being crowned the 2017 Petrus Madzuhe champions at the Maranzhe grounds last Sunday. They beat Tshivhilidulu Hungry Lions 3-1 in the final. Although no goal was scored during regulation time, the teams managed to display entertaining football
Lions dominate Patriots to earn first victory of season, 26
LONDON—Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala said on Jan. 30 that
Plane cushions found in search for missing soccer player Sala
Wimbledon humble West Ham in FA Cup shock - espn.com
France got off to a perfect start in the women's World Cup as the hosts beat South Korea 4-0 in the opening game at the Parc des Princes on Friday. World Football. Soccer-France make light
2019 Women's World Cup: France defeats South Korea 4-0
WOLFSBURG (Germany): Germany's new-look team made a promising return to the international stage with a 1-1 draw against Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday, showing signs of improvement following a
New-look Germany make promising start with Serbia draw
NICOSIA (Reuters) - Eden Hazard marked his 100th cap with an early goal to set Belgium on their way to a comfortable 2-0 away win over Cyprus in their Euro 2020 qualifier on Sunday. Michy
Euro 2020 Qualifiers: Eden Hazard marks milestone with early
0 comments:
Post a Comment