Observer: PSSI Too Late to Cancel League 1 2020

National football observer M Kusnaeni thinks PSSI is late in making the decision to cancel League 1 2020.

PSSI's delay in taking a stand about the certainty of competition has an impact on the club's losses. This is because the salaries of players, coaches and officials continue to run as long as the fate of the 2020 League 1 hangs.

Clubs still have to pay salary rights to players, coaches and officials for almost a year after League 1 2020 was stopped when it entered its fourth week in mid-March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even though only 25 percent of the salary is paid, the club does not have income from sponsors because there is no competition.

"If the League 1 2020 has been pushed for a long time by PSSI and LIB to take a stand immediately. This is a matter of argo for the club and certainty for the players. If the competition cannot be held, players can take the opportunity to go abroad or open a business," Kusnaeni told CNNIndonesia. com, Thursday (21/1).

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In fact, what has happened in the past year is that players feel that their fate is suspended by contractual ties with clubs that are waiting for PSSI's decision. In the end, PSSI also disbanded Liga 1 2020.

"This condition makes a lot of people disappointed with the competition operators and PSSI. They think the ability of operators and PSSI in dealing with crisis situations is not working, so decisions are made too long, waste time, and make many parties disadvantaged, especially the competition itself," he explained.

After the 2020 League 1 was canceled, PSSI and the competition operator PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) also could not confirm when the new season would start.

Until now, PSSI and LIB have not been able to convince the police to issue a crowd permit which is an absolute requirement for the competition to roll back.

The application of strict health protocols coupled with the Covid-19 swab program which is carried out periodically every week until certainty without spectators has not been able to convince the police.

Persebaya footballer Makan Konate celebrates after scoring a goal against Madura United during the Group A preliminary round for the 2020 East Java Governor's Cup at the Gelora Bangkalan Stadium (SGB), Bangkalan, East Java, Friday (14/2/2020).

Coupled with the number of positive cases of Covid-19 which is still skyrocketing, LIB and PSSI are not sure when League 1 2021 will start.

"From the start, I said that if you want to start the competition, it is not PSSI or LIB itself. But there are other stakeholders who decide when the competition can roll out; BNPB, Police, Ministry of Health. In this situation, the hospital may not be able to provide human resources [Human Resources] which currently overwhelmed with the Covid-19 case, "said Kusnaeni.

Therefore, PSSI and LIB are asked not to be careless to decide for themselves when the competition will start, as was done some time ago. Starting from the plan to continue the 2020 League 1 in October, then November to February, which finally failed because they had not received permission.

"PSSI should first consult with other stakeholders, BNPB, Police, Ministry of Health, IDI asking about this condition will happen until when? Then ask, is it safe if you want to hold a competition when? Don't get it like yesterday, it is called October, but it's canceled. You feel wronged. "

"Don't use a sudden approach when it comes to sense, but use careful analysis. Listen to the input of the police and BNPB because they have a mitigation program. So ask them what projections of handling Covid-19 are safe and when activities can start," explained Kusnaeni.

Regarding when Liga 1 2021 will start, Kusnaeni also asked PSSI and LIB not to think about having to follow the UEFA or AFC calendar.

"Don't think about participating in the calendar, but think about whether Indonesia is ready to hold a competition. Not only the competition schedule and police permission, but also support from other stakeholders; medical personnel, BNPB. Follow the conditions here."

"Do you want to repeat your failures again? Yesterday's mistakes were elaborated with more careful planning. Poor club, there has been a year of experience being trapped in a waiting situation. The period in 2021 is still trapped in the same puddle," he concluded.