JAKARTA (18 April 2012) – Indonesia national Under-23 coach Aji Santoso has been handed a four-match ban on top of a CHP 6,000 (USD 6,500) fine by FIFA for alleged remarks he made after the country’s humiliating defeat at the hands of Bahrain in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Aji was found guilty of breaching code 48 of FIFA’s code of conduct.
“I accept this punishment with open arms and it is a lesson for me in the continued development of my coaching career,” said Aji. “Personally, I have no desire to appeal against the sentence although the team manager might want to do otherwise which is really his prerogrative.”
Following the sentencing this week Bob Hippy, the Indonesia national team coordinator said that he is looking at possibility of an appeal.
In the meantime, Indonesia’s campaign in an invitational Al-Nakba International Tournament in Palestine will be tough considering that they will have to play matches every two days.
“The tournament will begin on 14 May 2012 with matches every two days,” said Widyawan Feriyanto Kodrat, the operation director for the Indonesia national team. “The semi-finals will be played on 20 May 2012 with the final two days later.”
Widyawan revealed that in as far as which other teams will be taking part in the tournament, there has been no new development yet although the likes of Iraq, Jordan, Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Uzbekistan.
The FA of Indonesia (PSSI) have appointed Nil Maizar as the new national chief coach.
