The 2021 season of competitive association football in Indonesia.
Promotion and relegation League Promoted to league Relegated from league Liga 1 Persik Persita PersirajaBadak Lampung Semen Padang Kalteng Putra Liga 2 Persijap PSKC Tiga Naga Persekat Putra Safin Group (formerly Putra Sinar Giri) Hizbul Wathan (formerly Semeru) PSGC Persibat Bandung United Madura Persatu PSMP
Name changes Semeru relocated to Sidoarjo and were renamed to Hizbul Wathan. Putra Sinar Giri relocated to Pati and were renamed to Putra Safin Group Pati (PSG Pati). However, in June 2021, the club was acquired by Atta Halilintar and renamed themselves again into AHHA PS Pati, although the name change won't come into effect until next season.
Domestic leagues Liga 1
The 2021–22 Liga 1, also known as BRI Liga 1 for sponsorship reasons, was the fifth season of Liga 1 under its current name and the 12th season of the top-flight Indonesian professional league for association football clubs since its establishment in 2008. The season started on 27 August 2021. Bali United were the defending champions from the 2019 season after the 2020 season was abandoned and declared void after three matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 25 March 2022, Bali United succeeded in defending their title for the second consecutive season, after second placed Persib draw to Persik, giving Bali United a 4-point lead with only one games left.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic Cancellation of the 2020 season PSSI canceled the 2020 Liga 1 season after putting it under suspension twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first suspension was announced after finishing matchday three on 15 March 2020, two weeks after the government announced the first cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia. The initial suspension was only for two weeks but it was extended to 29 May 2020. However, the government blocked every attempt to resume the competition. On 27 June 2020, PSSI issued a decree to continue Liga 1 from October 2020.
After failing to obtain government and police permissions for the umpteenth time, PSSI on 29 September 2020 announced the second postponement of the 2020 season of Liga 1 and Liga 2. This time the initial suspension had a one-month period. After the end date was reached, PSSI on 29 October 2020 declared the 2020 football seasons could not be held in 2020. There was an attempt to resume the 2020 season in 2021. However, on 15 January 2021, PSSI decided to cancel the 2020 season of all football competitions and declared them void.
2021 season plans PSSI and PT LIB plan to hold the 2021 season in coordination with the Indonesian Police and other state agencies despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, the country with the most COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia. The original plan was to hold it from 11 June 2021 and finish on 11 March 2022. After months of debate, PSSI decided against eliminating the relegation and promotion system, an option that many cash-strapped clubs proposed. PSSI also changed the starting date to early July 2021. COVID-19 restrictions in many cities on Java island delayed the commencement to late August 2021.
In order to obtain government permission, PSSI and PT LIB themselves had to incorporate various COVID-19 restrictions for the 2021 season, including disallowing fans to be inside or outside the stadium before, during, and after matches. Only a maximum of 299 people, including players, coaches, team officials, security personnel, and special guests, are allowed to enter the stadium. In addition, all entrants are required to be tested, pass temperature checks, wear masks, and follow other health protocols. All players also must be fully vaccinated to be eligible to play. All matches are expected to be played on main island of Java to reduce contagion risks from air travel, leading to protests from non-Java teams that must relocate their base to a Java city.
As a simulation for the 2021 season, PSSI held the 2021 Menpora Cup as a pre-season tournament for the Liga 1 teams. The event was held as a reference in implementing health protocols so that government and police officials become convinced that professional football matches would not turn into super-spreader events.
2021 format Cognizant of the fluctuating situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, PSSI and PT LIB decided the league format will be divided into six series that consider the infection levels across Java island. Each series will cover 45-54 matches (five to six matchdays) played in multiple designated regions to ensure no club will play in their home grounds. The venues can change days ahead of schedule if certain regions are deemed as COVID-19 red zones or violations to COVID-19 rules occurred at a specific stadium.
The first series (six matchdays) will be held in the provinces of Banten, West Java, and DKI Jakarta with six stadiums (Benteng Taruna Stadium, Pakansari Stadium, Patriot Stadium (Indonesia), Wibawa Mukti Stadium, Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium and Jalak Harupat Stadium). The second series is planned to be held in the provinces Central Java and Special Region of Yogyakarta with five stadiums (Jatidiri Stadium, Citarum Stadium, Manahan Stadium, Maguwoharjo Stadium and Sultan Agung Stadium). The third series is planned to entirely run in East Java province but in different nine stadiums (Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Gelora 10 November Stadium, Kanjuruhan Stadium, Gajayana Stadium, Surajaya Stadium, Petrokimia Stadium, Gelora Delta Stadium, Brawijaya Stadium, Gelora Bangkalan Stadium).
The fourth and fifth series will be held in Bali with limited supporters in four stadiums (Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium (Gianyar), Ngurah Rai Stadium (Denpasar), Kompyang Sujana Stadium (Denpasar), and Samudra Stadium (Badung)), before the sixth and last series is planned to take place at venues in the kick-off series in the provinces of Banten, West Java, and DKI Jakarta.
Teams Eighteen teams are competing in the league – all teams retained from the scrapped 2021–22 season.
Name changes In early 2020, TIRA-Persikabo changed its name to Persikabo 1973. In late 2020, Bhayangkara relocated to Surakarta from Jakarta and changed its name to Bhayangkara Solo. However, the changes were annulled, according to PSSI in its 2021 annual congress. Stadiums and locations
Team Location Stadium Capacity Arema Malang Kanjuruhan 42,449 Bali United Gianyar Kapten I Wayan Dipta 23,081 Bantul Sultan Agung 35,000 Barito Putera Martapura Demang Lehman 15,000 Sleman Maguwoharjo 31,700 Bhayangkara Surakarta Manahan 20,000 Borneo Samarinda Segiri 16,000 Sleman Maguwoharjo 31,700 Madura United Pamekasan Gelora Madura 15,000 Persebaya Surabaya Gelora Bung Tomo 55,000 Persela Lamongan Surajaya 16,000 Persib Bandung Si Jalak Harupat 27,000 Gelora Bandung Lautan Api 38,000 Persija Jakarta Gelora Bung Karno 77,193 Bantul Sultan Agung 35,000 Persik Kediri Brawijaya 20,000 Persipura Manado Klabat 10,000 Lamongan Surajaya 16,000 Persiraja Banda Aceh Harapan Bangsa 45,000 Sleman Maguwoharjo 31,700 Persita Tangerang Indomilk Arena 30,000 PSIS Semarang Citarum 7,000 PSM Makassar Andi Mattalata 15,000 Bantul Sultan Agung 35,000 PSS Sleman Maguwoharjo 31,700 TIRA-Persikabo Cibinong Pakansari 30,000 Notes:
Personnel and kits Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and coaches may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt Sponsor(s) Arema Carlos Oliveira Hendro Siswanto Made by club Ms Glow for Men, Krating Daeng, Indomie, Joseph Refo Investment Inc Bali United Stefano Cugurra Fadil Sausu Made by club OVO, Envi, Indofood, Smartfren, Wuling Motors, Bank Ina, KukuBima Ener-G!, Alderon, Coco Mart, Bengkel BOS, CBN Fiber, Indomie, Achilles, Ms Glow for Men, Buana Capital, YCAB Foundation, TOA Barito Putera Djadjang Nurdjaman Rizky Pora Made by club Hasnur Group Bhayangkara Paul Munster Indra Kahfi SPECS BNI, Jatim Park Group, Gojek, Go-Pay, Bright Gas, Jasa Raharja Borneo Mario Gómez Diego Michiels RIORS Feast, BIB, KukuBima Ener-G!, Ansaf, Fun88 Bola, Bank Kaltimtara Madura United Rahmad Darmawan Slamet Nurcahyono XTEN Pojur, Lion Group, KukuBima Ener-G!, Integra Group, Kangean Energy Indonesia, Kopi ABC, Tiket.com Persebaya Aji Santoso Hansamu Yama Made by club Extra Joss, Kapal Api, Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya, MPM Distributor Honda Persela Nil Maizar Eky Taufik Made by club So Nice, Extra Joss Persib Robert Alberts Supardi Nasir Sportama Pria Punya Selera, Halodoc, Indofood, Mobil, Permata Bank Syariah, Kopi ABC, Azzuri, Envi, Didimax, Indomie Persija Sudirman Andritany Ardhiyasa Juara Krating Daeng, Amman Mineral, Indomie, Bank DKI, Ithaca Resources Persik Budi Sudarsono Faris Aditama Noij Biznet, Greenland Kediri Persipura Jacksen F. Tiago Boaz Solossa SPECS KukuBima Ener-G!, Bank Papua, PT Freeport Indonesia Persiraja Hendri Susilo Mukhlis Nakata Adhoc Dek Gam Foundation, Bank Aceh, Lion Parcel, Kyriad Hotel Muraya Aceh, Extra Joss, PDAM Tirta Daroy, The Atjeh Connection Persita Widodo C. Putro Egi Melgiansyah Made by club Palang Merah Indonesia, Matrix, Indomilk, Moya, Krating Daeng, Indomie, SOS Children's Villages, Aetra PSIS Dragan Đukanović Wallace Costa RIORS DBAsia.news, Indomie, Charlie Hospital, Extra Joss, Pegadaian PSM Vacant Wiljan Pluim Umbro Semen Bosowa, Kalla Group, Honda, KukuBima Ener-G! PSS Dejan Antonić Bagus Nirwanto Sembada Krating Daeng, Indomie, ACEOFNEWS TIRA-Persikabo Igor Kriushenko Manahati Lestusen DJ Sport SBOTOP Notes:
On the front of shirt. On the back of shirt. On the sleeves. On the shorts. Additionally, SPECS made referee kits and also supplied the match ball, the Illuzion II.
Apparel changes:
Coaching changes Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Week Table Incoming coach Date of appointment Persik Budiardjo Thalib End of contract 15 December 2019 Pre-season Joko Susilo 4 January 2020 PSM Darije Kalezić Resigned 23 December 2019 Bojan Hodak 31 December 2019 Arema Milomir Šešlija End of contract 23 December 2019 Mario Gómez 2 January 2020 Madura United Rasiman Demoted to assistant coach 23 December 2019 Rahmad Darmawan 23 December 2019 Borneo Mario Gómez End of contract 26 December 2019 Edson Tavares 4 January 2020 PSIS Bambang Nurdiansyah Resigned 1 January 2020 Dragan Đukanović 1 January 2020 Persija Edson Tavares End of contract 2 January 2020 Sérgio Farias 12 January 2020 PSS Seto Nurdiantoro End of contract 12 January 2020 Eduardo Pérez 15 January 2020 PSS Eduardo Pérez Resigned 24 February 2020 Dejan Antonić 26 February 2020 Arema Mario Gómez Resigned 3 August 2020 4 12 Carlos Oliveira 17 September 2020 Borneo Edson Tavares Sacked 11 August 2020 4 3 Mario Gómez 21 August 2020 Persik Joko Susilo Became technical director 13 August 2020 4 13 Budi Sudarsono 13 August 2020 Persija Sérgio Farias Mutual consent 10 September 2020 4 9 Sudirman 10 September 2020 PSM Bojan Hodak Signed by Kuala Lumpur United 9 January 2021 4 6
Foreign players Football Association of Indonesia restricted the number of foreign players to four per team, including one slot for a player from AFC countries. Teams can use all the foreign players at once. Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window. Former Player(s) were players that out of squad or left club within the season, after pre-season transfer window, or in the mid-season transfer window, and at least had one appearance.