JAKARTA (26 Aug 2011) – The FA of Indonesia (PSSI) have finally unveiled the new format for the Indonesia professional league for the new 2011/2012 season – subject to the approval from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Following the dismantling of the Indonesia Super League (ISL) and the disruption of the Indonesia Premier League (LPI), there were questions being raised as to how to merge the two divisions.
And this week, the PSSI have decided to make a return to an old format (in 2003 to 2007), citing the wide expanse of the Indonesian archipelago as the reason why they have decided to have the East and West Conferences for the top division which is called Level 1 for the moment.
Each Conference will have 16 teams each.
“The Level 1 professional league will have 16 teams in each division. Which teams will be placed in which division of East or West will depend on their geographical location,” said Sihar Sitorus, the chairman of the PSSI Competitions Committee.
“We have decided on having two conferences based on efficiency. Indonesia is a very big country and we do not want to put pressure on the team financially.”
In the meantime, the Level 2 division will see 48 teams being divided into four conferences.
“No clubs were able to pay the IDR 5 billion (USD585,000) cash deposit required, so we’re thinking of cutting the deposit requirement to IDR 3 billion (USD349,650),” added Sihar.
Both leagues are expected to start in October 2011.
The PSSI used the same two-tier league system from 2003 to 2007.
In 2008, the PSSI switched to a single-league system to comply with AFC rules, which said domestic leagues must include just one professional division with a maximum of 20 teams.
LEVEL 1 CANDIDATES
Persipura, Arema, Persija, Semen Padang, Sriwijaya FC, Persisam, Persib, Persiwa, Persela, Persiba, PSPS, Pelita Jaya, Deltras, Persijap, Bontang FC, Persema, Persibo, PSM, Mitra Kukar, Persiraja, PSMS, Pro Duta FC, Persik, PSIS, PSCS, Persikota, Persis, Persiba, Persebaya, PS Barito Putra, PSS, PSIR, PS Bengkulu, Persipasi
LEVEL 2 CANDIDATES
PSAP, Persita, Persik, Persitara, Persikabo, PSLS, PSSB, Persires, Persiram, Gresik United, Perseman, PSIM, Persikab, Persemalra, PPSM, Persidafon, PSBI, Persigo, Persiku, Persipro, Perseru, PSMP, PSBS, Persibul, Persepam, PSBL, Persinjai, Madiun Putra, Persewangi, Persip, PSBK, KSB, Persetema, Persid, Persepar, PSGL
