Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The vice president of the governing body of world football FIFA, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, said football must be free from political elements.

"It must not be mixed up with political affairs," he said after meeting with Indonesian Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng at the latter`s offfice here on Tuesday.

The two met to discuss among other things the planned congress of the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) next month to elect a new PSSI executive board.

It is hoped the next congress in Solo, Central Java, on July 9 will be successful and able to elect a new executive board to open a new page in the country`s history of football.

The Normalization Team established by FIFA failed to elect a new PSSI board earlier following disputes over figures allowed to become the PSSI chief.

Prince Ali said "football development in Indonesia is very good as was shown in the last AFF championship. People are very enthusiastic."

The prince from Jordan said in view of the huge enthusiasm in football in the country he would support fully in the development of the popular sport in the country by facilitating proposals for FIFA programs.

Besides meeting with the sports minister Prince Ali is also scheduled to meet with the general chairperson of the Indonesia National Sports Committee (KONI) and the Indonesia Olympic Committee (KOI), Rita Subowo, vice president Boediono, army`s chief of staff General George Toisutta, the Normalization Committee and congress voters.(*)

(H-YH/HAJM/f001)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
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