Indonesia’s soccer leagues further delayed amid COVID-19 concerns hinh anh 1 An aerial view of Bandung Lautan Api Stadium in Bandung, West Java. (Photo: Antara/Raisan Al Farisi)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia has decided to postpone its top-tier and second-tier soccer leagues, Liga 1 and 2, for an entire month until November, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues unabated.

Chairman of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Mochamad Iriawan told a press conference on September 29 that the postponement was in line with the National Police’s staunch position against any activities that could possibly jeopardize the public health and safety.

On September 28, the police refused to grant the organisation permission to hold the sporting events given the country’s ongoing coronavirus emergency.

Iriawan asked that matches be delayed for only one month and be allowed to resume in November, considering the other pressing events over the course of next year, including the fasting month of Ramadhan – expected to fall next April – and World Cup preparations in May.

Last week, Iriawan said the Liga 1 and Liga 2 were planned to resume on October 1 and 17, respectively. The competitions have been postponed since March due to the pandemic concerns./.
VNA