Indonesia’s love for football runs deep, but lately, the spotlight has been on the Persatuan Sepak Bola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI), the country's football association. As the body responsible for managing national teams, leagues, and development programs, PSSI has faced a wave of heated discussions in 2025. From management decisions to fan behavior issues, these debates highlight both progress and pain points in Indonesian football. In this simple guide, we’ll break down the main controversies and why they’re sparking so much talk.
What is PSSI and Why the Buzz?
PSSI is Indonesia’s official football governing body, overseeing everything from the national team (Timnas) to domestic leagues like Liga 1. Founded in 1930, it plays a key role in growing the sport across the archipelago. But in 2025, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have exploded with opinions about PSSI’s leadership under Erick Thohir. Fans are praising some reforms while criticizing others, leading to trending hashtags and calls for change. This buzz comes at a time when Indonesian football is aiming for global recognition, but internal challenges keep holding it back.
Major Controversies Stirring the Pot
One big issue is the handling of domestic competitions. Recently, PSSI announced that the 2026 Piala Presiden (President’s Cup) won’t include teams from Liga 1 or Liga 2. Instead, it will focus on 64 clubs from regional levels to build grassroots talent. While some see this as a smart move to nurture young players from the ground up, others argue it’s a step back. Critics say it ignores top-tier clubs and could make the tournament less exciting. Fans on social media have pointed out that this decision adds to ongoing complaints about neglected areas like the women’s league (Liga 1 Putri) and youth programs (EPA), which haven’t seen much action.
Another hot topic is leadership and politicization. Erick Thohir, PSSI’s chairman, has been both hailed and slammed. On the positive side, he’s brought in improvements like VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology to Liga 1, better refereeing, and more funding for the national team. However, rumors swirled in September 2025 about him possibly becoming Indonesia’s Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), which could force him to step down from PSSI. This has raised questions about conflicts of interest, especially since Thohir owns shares in clubs like Persib Bandung and Persis Surakarta. Detractors accuse him of using football for political gain, echoing past “dark eras” of PSSI where politics overshadowed the sport.
Fan misconduct and international sanctions have also fueled debates. In May 2025, FIFA fined PSSI around $25,000 and reduced stadium capacity for a World Cup qualifier due to racist chants and poor crowd control during a match against Bahrain. PSSI appealed and called for better supporter behavior, but incidents like this highlight deeper problems with crowd management. Additionally, controversies over referee decisions, such as in the Indonesia-Bahrain game where timekeeping was questioned, led to protests to FIFA. There’s even talk of match-fixing concerns in lower leagues like Liga 4, prompting PSSI to promise stricter oversight.
Player bans and team performance add to the mix. For instance, Persebaya’s Yuran Fernandes received a one-year ban for protesting a referee’s call, showing PSSI’s tough stance on discipline. Meanwhile, the national team’s mixed results—strong in some areas but struggling in others—have fans questioning if enough is being done for youth development and diaspora players.
On platforms like X, the conversation is lively and divided. Supporters of Thohir point to blueprint plans for short- and long-term fixes, like improving facilities and syncing league schedules with national team duties. One user noted, “League 1 is getting better with VAR, and grassroots programs are starting—give it time.” But critics aren’t holding back: “Why focus only on Timnas? Bring back Piala Indonesia and women’s leagues!” Others worry about funding, with clubs struggling to pay players even for one competition, let alone more.
These debates reflect a passionate fanbase that wants transparency and real progress. While some call for Thohir’s resignation, others defend him, saying past PSSI leaders were worse.
Despite the heat, there’s hope. PSSI’s focus on grassroots and reforms like banning away fans in Liga 1 for safety could lead to a stronger foundation. If leadership addresses fan concerns—like reviving key tournaments and avoiding politics—the association might unite the football community. For now, these discussions show how much Indonesians care about their sport and its future.
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