Indonesia

Indonesia FA abolishes U-23 player regulation in Liga 1

Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is going to abolish its previously deemed “innovative” rules for top-tier league Liga 1.

According to the rule, which started in April, each Liga 1 club was obliged to field at least three players aged under 23 in the first half of every match. Another other allowed five substitutions during a match, instead of usual three.

The rules, which were called “innovative” by PSSI chairman Edy Rahmayadi, were made to for young footballers to gain more experience in the higher level game.

However, it seems the association’s innovations are not fit for the top-tier and professional league.

“The association has decided to abolish the regulation of fielding under-23 players in Liga 1 until the end of this season,” PSSI said on its website on last Thursday.

“Now the clubs can freely select their own players. … The number of substitutions is now decreased to maximum three.”