AFC can investigate PSSI

THE Asian Football Confederation (AFC) can only investigate the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) if their prohibition against players playing outside the country is made into an official rule.

AFC secretary general Datuk Windsor Paul John said the Asian body need to study the rules and regulations, and will only investigate if they clash with Fifa’s regulations.

“However, based on what’s been informed, the action is more of a request to Indonesian players to enhance their national team.

“I feel it is up to the players themselves to make a decision. For the time being no action can be taken because it is still just a proposal.

“If it becomes a rule, then AFC need to see what it really means and if it is against Fifa’s and AFC regulations, then we can commence investigations because players are free to play for just about any club in any country,” he said yesterday.

PSSI chief Edy Rahmayadi had earlier barred Indonesian players from joining clubs in Malaysia for fear that their style and tactics could be studied by Malaysia’s national team coaches.

Edy had voiced his dismay after two stalwarts of the Indonesian Under-23 team, Evan Dimas and Ilham Udin Armaiyn signed for Selangor for the new season. Edy criticised the duo for their moves, labelling them as greedy and unpatriotic.

Edy has also expressed his concerns that Selangor would not release the players for national training for the Asian Games on Aug 18-Sept 2 next year. Syafiq Aznan