Indonesian Premier League closer to merger
Reuters - Tuesday 12 April 2011, 09:11
JAKARTA, April 12 (Reuters) - The Indonesian Premier League
(IPL) took a significant step towards full integration on Monday
when it was recognised by a special committee overseeing the
country's football affairs.
A constant thorn in the side of the chaotic Indonesian
Football Association (PSSI), who have branded the IPL "rebels,"
the breakaway league has already gained government support.
The new PSSI executive board to emerge from the May 20
elections will rule on whether to dissolve the IPL or merge it
with the Super League, the Jakarta Globe reported on Tuesday.
The IPL has been authorised to continue its operations
without fear of being dissolved at least until the end of its
current season later this year.
"We made the decision to accommodate the IPL under the
committee's supervision until the end of the season," panel
chief Agum Gumelar told the Globe.
"After the end of its season, the IPL must report to the new
PSSI leadership and the new heads of the association will decide
thereafter the league's future."
World governing body FIFA sanctions only one domestic
competition per country.
FIFA appointed the normalisation committee after weeks of
protests against controversial PSSI chief Nurdin Halid and his
inability to halt the popular IPL, launched by local oil tycoon
Arifin Panigoro in January.