In front of FIFA officials, PSSI reveals embarrassing facts about Bahrain and AFC

Friday, 1 November 2024 – 14:50 WIB

VIVA – PSSI Secretary General Yunus Nusi was present at the Member Associations & Regional Associations Presidents & General Secretaries agenda which was held by AFC in Seoul, South Korea from 30 October to 1 November 2024.

The agenda was attended by all representatives of AFC member countries and FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and AFC President, Sheikh Salman.

Yunus Nusi used this opportunity to hold discussions with AFC, represented by the Secretary General of AFC, Dato’ Windsor John.

On that occasion, Yunus Nusi revealed the fact that Indonesian netizens really love clean football.

Indonesian netizens were previously feared by Bahrain and AFC after the Bahrain vs Indonesian National Team match which ended 2-2 at the National Stadium, Rifa on October 10 2024.

After the match, Bahrain and FIFA social media accounts were attacked repeatedly by Indonesian netizens who were disappointed with the referee’s leadership.

Bahrain also responded by sending a letter to the AFC requesting that the duel against the Indonesian national team in March 2025 be held at a neutral venue.

However, on the contrary, Indonesian netizens actually acted in a sporting manner when the Indonesian National Team lost to China in the 2026 World Cup Qualification match with a score of 1-2.

Based on this, Yunus Nusi said that the criticism and threats made by Indonesian netizens towards Bahrain and AFC some time ago were because of proof of their love for football.

“When the Indonesian national team lost to China, netizens and the Indonesian public received it well and even praised the referee’s leadership. This is what we conveyed to the AFC,” said Yunus.

Therefore, Yunus Nusi said that PSSI hopes that the AFC will assign a referee from the neutral zone to officiate the 2026 World Cup Qualification match.

Regarding its role as host, PSSI ensures that it will guarantee the safety of the Bahrain National Team when they visit the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta in March 2025.

“PSSI wants the referee in charge of leading the match well according to the laws of the game,” said Yunus.

“PSSI also hopes that the AFC and FIFA will understand the response from the football community and Indonesian netizens which is sometimes excessive. We say that this is part of the proof of how much the Indonesian people love their national team,” he said.