JAKARTA (23 April 2011) – It is no go as far as FIFA is concerned and the election impasse currently plaguing the FA of Indonesia (PSSI) seems nowhere close to be resolved.
With no new candidate wanting to put their name as would-be president of the PSSI, the Normalisation Committee was hoping that world’s governing body will accept the four candidates put forward by voters.
The four names which the Normalisation Committee gave to FIFA following the mid-month Congress were incumbent Nurdin Halid, Nirwan Dermawan Bakrie, George Toisutta and Arifin Panigoro.
But following a meeting between Agum Gumelar, the chairman of the Normalisation Committee and Thierry Regenass (FIFA director for member association) and FIFA president Sepp Blatter in Zurich a few days ago, the decision was made by FIFA that the PSSI should not sway from the earlier decision made by the governing body.
FIFA’s decision on 4 April 2011 stated that the four candidates concerned are not allowed to run for either chairmanship of the PSSI or be part of the new PSSI Executive Committee.
“I’m really at my wit’s end, but the decision from FIFA was steadfast. I had made the explanation and told them that the decision for the four candidates was made by the voters themselves. But FIFA was adamant that we should stick to their earlier decision (letter dated 4 April 2011,” said Agum.
Agum said that he explained to FIFA of the problems and the intricacies faced by the Normalisation Committee in as far as listening to the suggestions and decisions of the voters were concerned.
He said that the Normalisation Committee had also made several referrals and consultations with government bodies like the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Indonesian Olympic Council (KONI), the Indonesian football stakeholders and also managers of the game in the country.
Agum said that after hearing his explanation – where a Congress was held to have a Selection Committee and also a Vetting Committee before naming the four candidates – FIFA asked for time to make a decision.
In the letter signed not too long afterwards by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, the world body refused to budge from their earlier decision.
“I feel a bit guilty as I had fought for the four candidates as hard as I could but FIFA refused,” added Agum.
“I hope that everyone will accept this decision and realised that it is within us to make reconciliation of this issue. Do not get emotional and I hope that everyone will find the right solution to bring us forward from here.”
