Football Observer Criticizes Performance of PSSI Technical Director

CNN Indonesia

Friday, 22 Dec 2023 06:00 WIB

Football observer Tommy Welly criticized Indra Sjafri’s performance as PSSI technical director. (PSSI Doc)

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

National football observer Tommy Welly criticized the performance of the Technical Director (Dirtek) PSSI Indra Sjafri regarding the non-performance of the Indonesian National Team.

This criticism was made by Towel, his nickname, in a PSSI Press discussion on ‘Naturalizing, Reducing or Motivating Players’ at the Media Center of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Senayan on Thursday (21/12).

Tommy believes that Indra is not working optimally as Director of Technology to prepare the future of Indonesian football. He said Indra mostly took care of the Indonesian National Team’s problems.

“Above [piramida sepak bola] is the National Team. So the national team was never a factor in itself. “The national team is part of this process,” said Tommy in the discussion.

“The current Director of Technology rarely talks about developing young players. Naturalization is only one part or factor of the National Team. With current conditions, are some naturalized?” he said.

On this occasion, Tomy also criticized the performance of the National Team Agency (BTN). According to Bung Towel, BTN has not worked optimally, so he agreed to a shortcut.

“PSSI can naturalize 15 to 18 players at once. The PSSI Exco can decide on all 11 naturalized starting players. But at the same time questions will come,” said Tommy.

“Where is our competition? Is our competition in the elite category? What is its contribution? PSSI has the responsibility to advance national football, one of which is making our national team strong.”

For this former PSSI administrator, naturalization is legally valid. That’s not up for debate. Therefore, Tommy wants PSSI to work harder to advance competition as a place to look for players.

“So we are no longer debating whether naturalization is appropriate or not. This is because the legal corridors are clear. However, we are questioning the direction of our football development,” said Tommy.

“If PSSI now decides that all naturalization is possible, then the question will come, where is the positioning of the competition [Liga 1] us,” said Tommy added.

(abs/sry)