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Football: Safee Sali In Quandary Following FIFA Banning ISL

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's soccer star Safee Sali who plays for Indonesian professional outfit Pelita Jaya is in a quandary following FIFA banning the Indonesia Super League (ISL).

Pelita Jaya plays in the ISL.

According to Indonesian news portal Republika, FIFA had issued a letter to All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) president Djohar Arifin Husin stating that it did not recognise the ISL.

According to the contents of the letter, signed by FIFA secretary-general Jarome Valcke and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary-general Datuk Alex Soosay, the ban also extends to all players, officials and referees involved in the ISL.

"A freeze has also been imposed on transfer of players from the ISL, effectively preventing them from playing in leagues or championships in countries which are FIFA affiliates.

"Players like Safee are also affected, they cannot play outside the ISL," the portal said.

Prior to this, Safee had said if Pelita Jaya was affected by the ban, he would try to ply his trade elsewhere and at the same time represent Malaysia's national squad.

FIFA, however, has given Indonesia until March 20 to sort out its football problems, failing which harsher action would be taken.

The ISL is the league for professional clubs in Indonesia but does not come under the jurisdiction of the PSSI.

-- BERNAMA

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