League 1 Continues, PSSI Commitment to Responsibility for Rapid Test of All Teams Page all

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – PSSI Chairperson Mochamad Iriawan said the federation was committed to covering the costs of the rapid test of all teams in the continuation of League 1 2020.

This was revealed by Mochamad Iriawan at a press conference at Menara Senayan Sports (MOS), FX Sudirman, Jakarta, Sunday (6/28/2020).

Mochamad Iriawan also announced that League 1, which has been postponed since mid-March, will resume in October 2020.

It was written in the PSSI Decree numbered SKEP / 53 / VI / 2020 concerning the Continuation of the Competition in Extraordinary Conditions 2020 on 27 June 2020.

Before deciding to continue the competition, PSSI has prepared a health protocol that will be applied when League 1 returns.

The team from PSSI who formulated the competition health protocol was led directly by the Indonesian national team doctor, Syarif Alwi.

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Although not yet completed, one of the points contained in the health protocol is the obligation of each team to hold a rapid test.

The plan, all players and coaches directly involved in the match must have a rapid test once a week or a day before the match during League 1 rolling.

Holding a rapid test regularly will certainly make every League 1 club’s expenses swell.

Kompas.com reported earlier, the cost of rapid tests in Indonesia currently ranges from Rp 250,000-350,000 for one person.

That means, each club will spend around Rp. 7.5 to 10.5 million to hold one rapid test (assuming the number of club groups in a 30-person match).

Previously, one of the League 1 clubs, Arema FC, had complained about the cost of rapid tests if it was ultimately required when the competition rolled back.

Responding to that, Mochamad Iriawan tolerated complaints from the League 1 participating team.

Also read: Persebaya Coach Still Anxious to Continue the 2020 League 1 Competition

For this reason, Mochamad Iriawan said PSSI would be committed to bear all rapid test fees from all clubs.

However, this could only be decided after PSSI discussed with PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) as the competition operator.

“We have communicated with all the participating teams, and some of them also objected to the protocol (holding periodic rapid tests),” Mochamad Iriawan said.

“We and PT LIB will discuss it first. It should indeed, PSSI bears the cost of rapid tests from all teams,” Mochamad Iriawan said.

“God willing, PSSI will bear the cost of the PCR test and or rapid test from all teams. After this, PT LIB will communicate with the League 1 and League 2 teams. Maybe from the discussion the costs will be known,” Mochamad Iriawan said.

Holding a rapid test regularly is actually inviting polemic.

Because the accuracy of rapid tests to detect corona virus is still below the swab test.

Not only that, the results of the rapid test are only two to three days.

Also read: League 1 2020 Continued, Persib Ready to Play Anywhere

Chairman of the Covid-19 Indonesia Handling Task Force, Doni Monardo, previously suggested PSSI to choose a swab test rather than a rapid test in determining the continuation of the League 1 health protocol.

If you use a swab test, of course the cost to be spent by each team will be far more expensive.

The cost of conducting a swab test in Indonesia is around Rp 1.5-2 million for one person.

The cost is certainly heavier especially if the club income will also be reduced because League 1 is likely to be continued without spectators.

Related to this, Syarif Alwi previously admitted PSSI prefers rapid tests because the costs incurred are much cheaper.

Nearby, PSSI and PT LIB will first discuss the schedule, format and regulations for the continuation of League 1 2020.

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