Persipura advances to the AFC Cup to replace Persija who was rejected by the AFC
Persipura advances to the AFC Cup to replace Persija who was rejected by the AFC - Gone is Persija Jakarta's desire to appear again in Asian competition. PSSI finally decided to decide on Persipura Jayapura as Indonesia's representative to join Bali United to appear in the 2021 AFC Cup.
Initially, the Asian Football Federation (AFC) sent a letter to PSSI on (18/12/2020) regarding Indonesia's representatives in the 2021 AFC Cup. The AFC wants the selected club to be the same as the 2021 AFC Club Competition Manual Entry.
In other words, the AFC did not agree on submitting Persija Jakarta as Indonesia's representative considering his position was only the runner up of the Indonesian Cup. Initially, the AFC Cup slot was available for the winning team but PSM Makassar did not meet the club's licensing requirements.
The AFC argued, the grade of the league cup in this matter was the level below the league competition. Until the runner up of the Indonesian Cup was not on the same level as the runner up of the League 1 competition.
Because of this, the AFC did not allow Persija to appear in the AFC Cup considering that there is still a third-ranked team in League 1 competition that can qualify for club licensing. Initially, Persebaya Surabaya, which ranked 2nd in the final standings, did not even meet the AFC club license requirements.
"AFC understands the goals and direction of PSSI in choosing Persija as runners up for the 2018/2019 Indonesian Cup. But the AFC wants the clubs that are playing in the 2021 AFC Cup to be the same as the 2021 AFC Club Competition Entry Manual regarding Sporting Criteria," said Acting Secretary General of PSSI, Yunus Nusi, Sunday (20/12/2020).
With this answer from AFC, the Persipura Jayapura team will accompany Bali United to take part in the 2021 AFC Cup in the future. Persipura was chosen because they were ranked third in League 1 2019 and obtained a professional club license during the 2020 AFC Club Licensing Cycle process.
PSSI responded to PT Persipura Papua's letter on December 17 2020. Apart from that, a participating team agreement form was included which needed to be filled in and signed off by the Club President. Then the power point file related to club information, and the jersey color form.
The Persipura team must complete these requirements and be returned to PSSI no later than December 21, 2020. Except for the 3 conditions above, it is hoped that they can send a certificate for the lighting of the stadium lights that will be used.
Source : sindonews.com