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Indonesian champions Persipura allowed entry into 2012 AFC Champions League after decision reversal
The Asian Football Confederation has complied with the Court for Arbitration for Sport's decision and the Super League champions will now face Adelaide on Thursday in a play-off
11-Feb-2012 8:54:00 AM
By Ben Somerford
Arief Setiadi
Indonesian champions Persipura have been allowed entry into the 2012 Asian Champions League (ACL) by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after they decided to comply with the Court for Arbitration of Sport's (CAS) ruling.
The Indonesian outfit will now face Australian club Adelaide United in a play-off on Thursday to decide who makes it into the group phase.
Persipura had originally been left out of the play-offs, with Adelaide gaining direct entry, as the Indonesian club were part of the rebel Super League which Fifa nor the AFC recognised.
The Black Pearls had won the 2010-11 Super League however were denied entry into the ACL when the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) decided not to register the club as they remained in the competition which became a breakaway league.
Last week the CAS had ruled that Persipura should be allowed entry into the ACL after the club's appeal, which the AFC confirmed on Friday it would comply with.
However the decision isn't final with the CAS to meet again before the opening ACL fixtures on March 6.
“[If Persipura is] later found disqualified due to CAS’s final award and decision [which may be contradictory to the provisional decision], Adelaide United may replace Persipura Jayapura to participate in the ACL preliminary group stage,” the AFC said.
However, Persipura secretary general Thamrin Sagala said the club were delighted with the news.
“The team has been in Jakarta since [Thursday] and we’ve already booked tickets to fly to Adelaide on Monday,” Thamrin told the Jakarta Globe.
The Indonesian outfit will now face Australian club Adelaide United in a play-off on Thursday to decide who makes it into the group phase.
Persipura had originally been left out of the play-offs, with Adelaide gaining direct entry, as the Indonesian club were part of the rebel Super League which Fifa nor the AFC recognised.
The Black Pearls had won the 2010-11 Super League however were denied entry into the ACL when the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) decided not to register the club as they remained in the competition which became a breakaway league.
Last week the CAS had ruled that Persipura should be allowed entry into the ACL after the club's appeal, which the AFC confirmed on Friday it would comply with.
However the decision isn't final with the CAS to meet again before the opening ACL fixtures on March 6.
“[If Persipura is] later found disqualified due to CAS’s final award and decision [which may be contradictory to the provisional decision], Adelaide United may replace Persipura Jayapura to participate in the ACL preliminary group stage,” the AFC said.
However, Persipura secretary general Thamrin Sagala said the club were delighted with the news.
“The team has been in Jakarta since [Thursday] and we’ve already booked tickets to fly to Adelaide on Monday,” Thamrin told the Jakarta Globe.
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