SINGAPORE, July 3 (Reuters) - Indonesia's soccer chiefs are to
clamp down on clubs after a shambolic season during which teams
played without home grounds and rules regarding coaching
qualifications were flouted.
All Super League clubs for the 2009-2010 season will need to
have a proper home ground, professional management, an under-21
squad and a fully licensed head coach, the Indonesian League Body
(BLI) said.
"There will be no wandering clubs for next season ... we will
not compromise," BLI director Joko Driyono said.
"We'll start verifying clubs in August, and we hope it will be
done by the end of the month," he told the Jakarta Globe.
Joko said that if a club failed to meet Super League
requirements, a second tier club might take its place.
The Indonesian league will also institute the Asian Football
Confederation's "3 plus 2" rule for foreign players in the Super
League.
Three of each club's five foreigner spots will be open to
players of any nationality. If a club wishes to fill either of the
other two spots, those players must come from an AFC member
nation.
Player agent Eddy Syahputra said he was not enthusiastic about
the new rules.
"It's quite hard to find Asian players (who want to play in
Indonesia) as the leagues in other countries, like Vietnam and
Thailand, are better organised," Eddy said.
"I prefer the old regulations as it's much easier for me to find
players, but regulations are regulations."