Soccer Extreme : The Indonesian Premier League’s Jakarta 1928 FC has been having a hard time signing up the Younghusband brothers of the Philippines.The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is making sure it won’t get any easier.
PSSI secretary general Nugraha Besoes on Thursday said he has contacted the Philippine Football Federation and asked it not to recognize the professional contract being offered by Jakarta 1928 to Philippine national team players Phil and James Younghusband.
“I explained all the developments in Indonesian football to [PFF president Mariano] Araneta and also about the illegal league,” Nugraha said, referring to the IPL.
“I told him that if the transfer goes through, it will be dangerous for both the PSSI and the PFF because we could be sanctioned by FIFA.
“I asked the PFF not to issue the International Transfer Certificate for both Younghusbands.”
Amid the launch of the IPL earlier this month which shook the domestic game, Nugraha said FIFA has assured its support for the PSSI during the Asian Football Confederation congress attended by Indonesia FA officials in Doha, Qatar last week.
“FIFA sent an official letter to PSSI, saying that we should comply with the FIFA Statutes and take firm action on all parties involved in the rogue league [IPL],” Nugraha said.
“And if the case continues, FIFA will discuss the matter during the FIFA annual congress on March 1,”
Nugraha also confirmed that the PSSI has given $150,000 to the PFF as the Philippines’s share from the ticket revenue during their AFF Cup semifinal “home game” held in Jakarta.
Jakarta 1928 is still waiting for a response from the Younghusbands regarding its offer, although the Jakarta Globe learned that the Filipino brothers were leaning toward turning down the deal.
In the Super League, promoted club Semen Padang went top of table after a 1-0 win over Pelita Jaya at Agus Salim Stadium, Padang, West Sumatra on Thursday.
Semen Padang has 20 points from nine games, just a point ahead of Persipura Jayapura which has two games in hand. (jakartaglobe)