The Chairman of the National Team Agency, Sumardji, was reluctant to respond to the actions of the Indonesian National Team player Elkan Baggott who deleted the PSSI tag on his Instagram social media account.
“No Comment! You ask Elkan yourself,” said Sumardji on the sidelines of the Indonesian National Team training at the Madya Stadium, Jakarta, Friday (5/31/2024).
Baggott caused a stir in cyberspace after deleting the PSSI tag in the bio of his Instagram account. This further heated up the rumors of a polemic relationship between Elkan Baggott and PSSI.
Baggott’s polemic with PSSI emerged after the absence of the Ipswich Town player in the Olympic playoff match between the Indonesian U-23 National Team vs Guinea. Although PSSI had sent an official letter summoning Baggott to the club, the 21-year-old defender was still not present in France.
Until now, it is unclear the official reason for Baggott’s absence from the 2024 Olympic playoff match. Finally, Shin Tae Yong (STY) decided not to call Baggott for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Iraq and the Philippines.
STY has always refused to provide an explanation regarding the Baggott problem. Just like Sumardji, the South Korean coach asked the media to ask Baggott for an explanation directly.
“About Elkan, maybe ask Elkan directly. Elkan knows better,” said Shin during the first training session of the Indonesian National Team, Tuesday (28/5/2024) afternoon.
However, one of the PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) Members, Vivin Cahyani Sungkono, ensured that there was no problem between Shin Tae Yong and Elkan Baggott.
“There is no news, there are no significant issues. Nothing, everything is safe, if the problem of participation, the selection [of players] is up to the coach, we do not intervene.”
“[Baggott] is in the line-up or not is in the hands of the coach, so if we are in Exco, we facilitate the training venue, security. Maybe you all see that our players are really protected not because we prevent fans from being able to [meet] directly, but from a security and health perspective, so that the players are ready to face [the match],” said Vivin in Jakarta, Thursday (30/5/2024).
Image source: suaratimes.com
