It was hoped the meeting, attended by a delegation led by FIFA Executive Committee member Kohzo Tashima and also including Prince Abdullah and Mariano Araneta, who is on the Executive Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), would help find a solution to ongoing problems within Indonesian football.

The PSSI were hit with a ban earlier this year, meaning Indonesia were unable to compete in all international competitions organised by FIFA and the AFC, after the Government in the country tried to replace the governing body, which had been plagued with allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

Despite the Indonesian Government insisting this was a necessary step for the future of the sport in the nation, FIFA, who are strongly against Governmental interference within its member associations, opted to suspend the PSSI.

Widodo told the delegation he wants to “get a solution immediately and to form a task force which will communicate continuously with FIFA”, adding the visiting officials were “happy to see there was no flexing of muscles and that we wanted a solution too”.

Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi also claimed the meeting was “very valuable” and that “constructive” talks were held.

“The Government is very concerned about reforming Indonesian football,” he said.

“There have been clear indications, and in fact confessions, about match-fixing, gambling, delayed salary payments and clubs flouting FIFA statutes relating to financial transparency, taxes and rules.”

Friction between the PSSI and the Government surfaced in April after the Indonesian Super League season ground to a halt over a row concerning the participation of two of the league’s clubs, Persebaya Surabaya and Arema Indonesia.

Issues concerning the ownership of both teams had arisen and the Indonesian Professional Sports Agency, sanctioned by the Sports Ministry, wanted the two teams blocked from playing. 

This was met with opposition from the PSSI and, as a result, the Government initiated a process to replace the organisation by setting up a transitional body.

“It was apparent that FIFA, AFC, PSSI and the Government are of the common view that Indonesia is a high potential football country and that reforms are needed to maximise their potential,” a FIFA statement read.

“The President of the Republic of Indonesia understood that any reform must occur under the auspices of the FIFA Statutes, but the Government is welcomed as a stakeholder in the reform.”

Indonesia finished fourth at the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in June after being thrashed 5-0 by Vietnam in the third place play-off. 

Further talks are planned tomorrow.