Erick Thohir, Indonesia's Minister of State Owned Enterprises and a former Chairman of Inter Milan, has been named new Chairman of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI).
With Indonesian football having been plagues by mismanagement, match-fixing scandals, crowd trouble and allegations of corruption over decades, Thohir’s appointment is seen as a positive step within the country but may see PSSI conflict again with world football governing body FIFA.
Despite its close relationship with governments, FIFA does not allow governmental interference in nations’ football associations, having suspended Zimbabwe's and Kenya's memberships over the issue just last year.
It has also previously suspended Indonesia over the issue, with its last ban lifted in 2017.
Thohir’s appointment comes at a time when Indonesia’s most popular sport faces a series of challenges following the deaths of 135 people were killed in Malang, East Java in October last year after a pitch invasion.
Commenting on the appointment, former Indonesian national football player and retired coach Djadjang Nurdjaman told CNA that he believes in Thohir’s capabilities, commenting "Erick Tohir is very experienced in the world of football, and he has good intentions to clean it up.”
Thorir, who was majority owner of Italian football giants Inter Milan from 2013 to 2018 and is currently joint majority shareholder in English third-tier side Oxford United, commented “we need to ensure our sport is clean and triumphant.”
After the announcement, local media quoted Indonesian President Joko Widodo as saying he hoped the Thorir would “totally reform” Indonesian football.
Thorir is the founder of Mahaka Group, a conglomerate that focuses on media, sport and entertainment.
Image: Erick Thohir. Credit: Facebook/Erick Thohir.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well as caring for Stella the pug.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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