Jakarta, IO – FIFA banned Bogor-based Persikabo 1973 president Bimo Wirjasoekarta from being involved in football-related activities for two years with a three-year probationary period, reported Suara, Thursday (6/4).
The sanction was imposed because one of its players Alex Goncalves revealed that he was only paid 25 percent of the promised salary when he played for the club from 2020-21. As a result, he could not pay for his son’s school tuition. He then reported the matter to FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC).
Wirjasoekarta filed a counter report accusing Goncalves of defamation. According to Persikabo, the club had fulfilled their obligations to Goncalves as stipulated in a decree issued by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) regarding the payment of 25 percent salary at the outset of Covid-19 pandemic.
Persikabo also claimed to have provided Goncalves other facilities including a house, car and health insurance. He also admitted that he had received the payment of his full salary in July 2022.
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Wirjasoekarta was deemed to have violated FIFA Code of Ethics 2023. Through its social media account, Persikabo expressed its support for Wirjasoekarta and will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“Everyone at Persikabo 1973 will always support and stand behind the club’s president Bimo Wirjasoekarta. We are satisfied with his performance and hopes that he can continue to serve without restrictions,” the club said in a statement. (un)