PSSI Plans to Bring European Referees for Next Liga 1 Season

Expansion of Foreign Referee Recruitment

Yoshimi Ogawa, Deputy Chairman of the PSSI Referee Committee, has announced plans to broaden the recruitment of foreign referees beyond Asia — targeting officials from Europe for the upcoming 2025/2026 Liga 1 season.

Key Matches This Season Will Use Foreign Officials

With only four matches remaining in the 2024/2025 Liga 1 season, Ogawa confirmed that foreign referees will officiate high-stakes games, particularly as seven clubs are still battling relegation.

Challenges in Recruitment Amid Scheduling Conflicts

Ogawa, a seasoned referee instructor from Japan, acknowledged logistical hurdles in bringing foreign referees, citing concurrent domestic leagues in other countries as the main obstacle.

Strategic Commitment for Next Season

Despite these challenges, PSSI remains firmly committed to involving international officials in the next season. Their goal is to enhance referee quality and integrity in Liga 1 by enlisting referees from the European continent.