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FIFPRO Statement: Indonesia Liga 2 and Liga 3

Statement

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FIFPRO has asked FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to urgently intervene in Indonesia, where a decision was taken by the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) to cancel the remainder of the 2022/23 season for the second and third leagues (Liga 2 and Liga 3).

FIFPRO Deputy Secretary General Simon Colosimo said: "FIFA and AFC should intervene, as this terrible decision has a serious impact on the lives and careers of around 700 professional footballers in Indonesia who have a contract with Liga 2 clubs."

Recently, the PSSI announced that it would not restart the Liga 2 (professional) and Liga 3 (amateur) season, which was interrupted due to the Kanjuhuran Stadium tragedy in October last year, when 125 people died. According to the PSSI, the league and clubs lack the financial means to comply with the new safety regulations that were put in place after the tragedy.

In December, the PSSI had successfully organised the restart of the Indonesian top tier (Liga 1) with all clubs complying with the same safety measures, and the PSSI had announced that the second league would be restarted on 14 January as well. However, on 13 January the PSSI suddenly communicated that Liga 2 would be cancelled indefinitely.

It is also disturbing that this decision was taken without any negotiation or consultation with the players association, APPI, even though this decision affects around 700 professional players.

Furthermore, the cancellation of Liga 2 is leaving Indonesian football without a relegation system, which is not in line with the FIFA structure.

FIFPRO urges FIFA and AFC to intervene in this situation and find a suitable solution together with the PSSI and players association APPI to ensure that Liga 2 can continue.