The Indonesian Liga 1 is at the center of attention with the proposed new policy allowing each club to have up to eight foreign players. This policy, set to be implemented in the 2024/2025 season, has sparked heated debates among local players, fans, and football analysts. The policy is seen as a response to the soaring prices of local players, especially those with national team status.

The new policy allows each Liga 1 club to register eight foreign players, with a composition of six unrestricted and two from Asia. However, only five foreign players and one from Asia are allowed in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, the remaining two foreign players must sit on the bench and can only substitute other foreign players.
Ferry Paulus, CEO of PT Liga Indonesia Baru (PT LIB), explained that increasing the foreign player quota is intended to improve the league’s quality and address the high contract values of local players. “We want to achieve a balance between price and quality. Players are indeed entitled to high salaries, but it is essential to align the benefits for clubs with what they can offer,” said Ferry.
However, this policy has not been well-received by everyone. Many local players are concerned about the negative impact on their opportunities to shine. Through a social media campaign with the hashtag #inisepakbolaindonesia, local players voiced their concerns. “The question for all of us is, is this Indonesian football?” is the phrase accompanying every post from players involved in this movement.
Unfortunately, no players have yet to comment directly on this movement. Prominent players like Maman Abdurrahman, Abduh Lestaluhu, Syahrian Abimanyu, and Rizky Darmawan have not responded to media inquiries.

Interestingly, similar policies have already been implemented in various Southeast Asian leagues. In the Malaysian Super League, for example, each club is allowed to contract nine foreign players, with a composition of seven unrestricted, one from Asia, and one from ASEAN. In matches, only six foreign players can be fielded, while two others must sit on the bench. Meanwhile, the Thai League has a similar policy with slight modifications in the ASEAN player composition.
These examples show that having a high quota of foreign players is not unusual in the globalized era of football. In fact, in the Thai League, local players like Supachai Chaided have managed to compete and emerge as top scorers for two consecutive seasons (2022/23 and 2023/24).
Dewa United’s President, Ardian Satya Negara, offers a different view on this policy. He believes that increasing the foreign player quota is driven by two main factors: the skyrocketing prices of local players and the aim to enhance the quality of Liga 1. “The decision will be made after thorough discussions with the clubs,” explained Ardian. He also emphasized that clubs must be financially prepared to hire both foreign and local players.
Although this policy is still under discussion, it is clear that it brings significant pros and cons. For some, it is a step forward to improve the league’s quality and align with global trends. However, for local players, this policy could threaten their opportunities to develop and shine in domestic competitions. Over time, the final decision on this policy will be a crucial determinant for the future of Indonesian football.