Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD (center); National Police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo (right); and Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali (left) issue a press statement on the 2022–2023 national football leagues 1, 2, and 3 at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs in Jakarta on Monday (December 5, 2022). (ANTARA PHOTOS/Michael Siahaan/my)
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The presence of spectators in stadiums during the 2022–2023 League 1, 2, and 3 matches will depend on the ongoing evaluation of stadiums as the competitions progress, Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali has said.
"Of course, that along the way, there will be an evaluation by the government and the National Police. It is likely that there will be things that will need to be corrected," Amali informed after meeting with the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, and National Police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs here on Monday.
The minister said that the evaluation would later involve the government, specifically several ministries such as the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, and the Health Ministry, besides competition organizer PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) and the National Police.
Following the evaluation, a recommendation will be issued, based on which the National Police will decide on the granting of a permit.
"The permit (allowing spectators) depends on the National Police," the minister said.
The government has officially allowed the resumption of League 1, 2, and 3 for the 2022–2023 season with the condition that no spectators will be allowed inside the stadiums during matches.
The league was suspended following a stampede at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, in early October this year, which left 135 people dead and hundreds of others injured.
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The government's decision on the league’s resumption was conveyed by Mahfud MD on Monday, (December 5, 2022) after his meeting with Amali and Prabowo.
Meanwhile, the National Police chief stressed that his administration will always support national football competitions for the sake of great achievements.
After the Kanjuruhan incident, the National Police, who are also a part of the Indonesian Football Transformation Task Force, issued Police Regulation Number 10 of 2022 about security measures for sports competitions.
The regulation was stipulated by Prabowo on October 28 and promulgated by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights on November 4.
"The regulation also regulates football security, evaluation, licensing, methods, and a series of safeguards before, during, and after matches. Adjustments to FIFA rules are also clarified, including on the use of tear gas. Therefore, according to the agreement, the National Police will support the conclusion of the remainder of the competition,” the police chief said.
The resumption of the Indonesian football competition was marked by the restarting of League 1 matches.
Four matches were held on Monday: Bhayangkara FC vs PSS, Madura United vs PSIS, PSM vs Persikabo, and Persita vs Bali United.
LIB has resumed League 1 under a bubble format: no stadium spectators will be allowed in Central Java and Yogyakarta until the first round (week 17) is complete.
After that, in the second round, League 1 will return to its normal home and away format.
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Translator: Michael Siahaan, Mecca YumnaEditor: Suharto Copyright © ANTARA 2022