Indonesia applauds lifting of FIFA ban

66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City. AP

Indonesia on Saturday welcomed FIFA’s decision to end the country’s year-long ban from world football over government interference, saying it hoped for more transparency in the sport.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced Friday that Indonesia had been reinstated after Jakarta sent a letter notifying that it had lifted sanctions on national football body, the PSSI.

Indonesia has been without a national football competition for the better part of a year, after a feud between the PSSI and its sports ministry saw the top-grade tournament suspended.

“We hope the lifting of the ban will push the nation to improve its national football, especially in regards to revamping its organisational management, increasing transparency, accountability and enhancing a more harmonious relationship with the various stakeholders,” Indonesia’s sports ministry said in a statement.

It suggested that FIFA’s decision was the result of the “good relationship” that has developed between Indonesia and football’s world governing body since Infantino took charge.

Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa also applauded the move.

“We welcome them (Indonesia) back into the Asian football family,” he said in a statement.

“However, the AFC executive committee reiterated this week their continued stand against government intervention in sport generally and football in particular.”

AFC officials will meet their Indonesian counterparts to discuss next steps regarding competition matters, the statement said.

Indonesia launched an interim eight-month competition in April, but the sports ministry said this was not a replacement for its top-flight league.