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Rebel or Not, Super League Set to Muddle Club Scene
November 28, 2011

Persipura Jayapura players celebrating their victory in the Inter Island Cup on Saturday. Persipura will open the Indonesian Super League season against Persiba Balikpapan on Thursday. (Antara Photo) Persipura Jayapura players celebrating their victory in the Inter Island Cup on Saturday. Persipura will open the Indonesian Super League season against Persiba Balikpapan on Thursday. (Antara Photo)
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Moving up its timetable and ratcheting up the confusion in domestic football, Liga Indonesia announced on Monday that the new Indonesian Super League would begin on Thursday.

Originally set to start on Dec. 4, the ISL opens with Persipura Jayapura hosting Periba Balikpapan at Mandala Stadium.

“We’re ready to stage the league. Preparations for the first match have gone well,” said Joko Driyono, chief executive of league administrator Liga Indonesia.

Until recently, the Indonesian Football Assocation (PSSI) recognized the ISL as the official top flight. It lost that status, though, when backers of the then-breakaway Indonesian Premier League took over the PSSI leadership.

Djoko confirmed that 18 clubs would compete in the ISL.

“Clubs with a huge fan base such as Persija [Jakarta], Arema [Indonesia] and Persib [Bandung] will play in the league, so fans can expect quality games,” he said.

While the PSSI now recognizes the IPL as the official top flight, several clubs have been dissatisfied with the new leadership’s performance and made public their preference for Liga Indonesia.

While the PSSI has threatened sanctions against those who play in the ISL, Persib is undaunted.

“We know there will be consequences, but we’re ready to deal with that,” said Kuswara Taryono, head of Persib Bandung Bermartabat, the club’s holding company.

Kuswara said Persib’s scheduled IPL match today against Bontang FC would not take place. The club also refused to play Mitra Kukar on Saturday.

Persib was the fifth IPL club to defect to the ISL, joining Persipura, Persidafon Dafonsoro, Mitra Kukar and Sriwijaya FC.

“We are disappointed by the PSSI’s decision to let six clubs play in the top flight despite the fact that they don’t deserve to be there,” Kuswara said.

In September, the PSSI announced an IPL that included relegated Bontang, Premier Division sides PSMS Medan and Persebaya Surabaya as well as PSM Makassar, Persibo Bojonegoro and Persema Malang.

Antara