The 2021–22 Liga 1, also known as
BRI Liga 1 for sponsorship reasons, was the 5th season of
Liga 1 under its current name and the 12th season of the top-flight Indonesian professional league for
association football
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
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
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
season was abandoned and declared void after three matches due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
.
On 25 March 2022, Bali United succeeded in defending their title for the second consecutive season, after second-placed
Persib drew against
Persik, giving Bali United a 4-point lead with only one game left.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
Cancellation of the 2020 season
PSSI canceled the
2020 Liga 1
The 2020 Liga 1, also known as Shopee Liga 1 for sponsorship reasons, was the 4th season of Liga 1 under its current name and the 11th season of the top-flight Indonesian professional league for association football clubs since its establishment ...
season after putting it under suspension twice due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
. 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
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
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
The Football Association of Indonesia (; 'All-Indonesian Football Association'; abbreviated as PSSI) is the governing body of football in Indonesia. It was founded on 19 April 1930. The PSSI joined FIFA in 1952 and the Asian Football Confedera ...
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
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
, the country with the most COVID-19 cases in
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, southeastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and northwest of the Mainland Au ...
. 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
Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea (a part of Pacific Ocean) to the north. With a population of 156.9 million people (including Madura) in mid 2024, proje ...
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
Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea (a part of Pacific Ocean) to the north. With a population of 156.9 million people (including Madura) in mid 2024, proje ...
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
Banten (, , Pegon alphabet, Pegon: بنتن) is the westernmost Provinces of Indonesia, province on the island of Java, Indonesia. Its capital city is Serang and its largest city is Tangerang. The province borders West Java and the Special Capi ...
,
West Java
West Java (, ) is an Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province on the western part of the island of Java, with its provincial capital in Bandung. West Java is bordered by the province of Banten and the country's capital region of Jakarta to t ...
, and
DKI Jakarta
Jakarta (; , Betawi language, Betawi: ''Jakartè''), officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta (; ''DKI Jakarta'') and formerly known as Batavia, Dutch East Indies, Batavia until 1949, is the capital and largest city of Indonesia and ...
with six stadiums (
Benteng Taruna Stadium,
Pakansari Stadium
Stadion Pakansari is an all-seater stadium at Pakansari, Cibinong, Bogor, West Java in Indonesia. It is mostly used for football matches and is the home stadium of Persikabo 1973. It can hold 30,000 spectators. The stadium is one of the venues fo ...
,
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
Central Java (, ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang. It is bordered by West Java in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Special Region of Yogya ...
and
Special Region of Yogyakarta
The Special Region of Yogyakarta is a province-level special region of Indonesia in southern Java. It is a semi-enclave that is surrounded by on the landward side by Central Java Province to the west, north, and east, but has a long coastline ...
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
East Java (, , ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia located in the easternmost third of Java island. It has a land border only with the province of Central Java to the west; the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean border its northern ...
province but in different nine stadiums (
Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium
Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Benowo, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. It is a part of the Surabaya Sports Center. The rest of the sports complex consists of an indoor stadium, a racing circuit, a roller skating track, t ...
,
Gelora 10 November Stadium
Gelora 10 November Stadium (; literally "10 November Sports Arena Stadium"), formerly known as Tambaksari Stadium, is a football stadium located in Tambaksari, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. It is currently used mostly for association football m ...
,
Kanjuruhan Stadium,
Gajayana Stadium
Gajayana Stadium (Stadion Gajayana) is a multi-purpose stadium in Malang, East Java, Indonesia. Gajayana Stadium is the oldest stadium in Indonesia. This stadium began to become the center of the city in 1924 until 1926. Then in the early 1990s G ...
,
Surajaya Stadium,
Petrokimia Stadium,
Gelora Delta Stadium
Gelora Delta Sidoarjo is a multi-purpose stadium in the regency of Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia. The stadium is located within Greater Surabaya metropolitan area. It is currently mostly used for football matches. The stadium has a capacity of ...
,
Brawijaya Stadium,
Gelora Bangkalan Stadium).
The fourth and fifth series will be held in
Bali
Bali (English:; Balinese language, Balinese: ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller o ...
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
Banten (, , Pegon alphabet, Pegon: بنتن) is the westernmost Provinces of Indonesia, province on the island of Java, Indonesia. Its capital city is Serang and its largest city is Tangerang. The province borders West Java and the Special Capi ...
,
West Java
West Java (, ) is an Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province on the western part of the island of Java, with its provincial capital in Bandung. West Java is bordered by the province of Banten and the country's capital region of Jakarta to t ...
, and
DKI Jakarta
Jakarta (; , Betawi language, Betawi: ''Jakartè''), officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta (; ''DKI Jakarta'') and formerly known as Batavia, Dutch East Indies, Batavia until 1949, is the capital and largest city of Indonesia and ...
.
Teams
Eighteen teams are competing in the league – all teams retained from the scrapped
2020 season.
Name changes
* In early 2020, TIRA-Persikabo changed its name to
Persikabo 1973
Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Kabupaten Bogor 1973, commonly known as Persikabo 1973, is an Indonesian professional football club based in Bogor Regency, West Java, Indonesia. The club set to competes in the Liga Nusantara, the third tier of ...
.
* In late 2020, Bhayangkara relocated to
Surakarta
Surakarta (Javanese script, Javanese: , Pegon script, Pegon: ), known colloquially as Solo (Javanese script, Javanese: ; ), is a major List of regencies and cities of Indonesia, city in Central Java, Indonesia. The city adjoins Karanganyar Reg ...
from
Jakarta
Jakarta (; , Betawi language, Betawi: ''Jakartè''), officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta (; ''DKI Jakarta'') and formerly known as Batavia, Dutch East Indies, Batavia until 1949, is the capital and largest city of Indonesia and ...
and changed its name to
Bhayangkara Solo. However, the changes were annulled, according to PSSI in its 2021 annual congress.
Stadiums and locations
Notes:
Personnel and kits
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (), more commonly known by its acronym FIFA ( ), is the international self-regulatory governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal. It was founded on 21 May 1904 to o ...
eligibility rules. Players and coaches may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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.
Captaincy changes:
Coaching changes
Foreign players
PSSI
The Football Association of Indonesia (; 'All-Indonesian Football Association'; abbreviated as PSSI) is the governing body of football in Indonesia. It was founded on 19 April 1930. The PSSI joined FIFA in 1952 and the Asian Football Confedera ...
restricts the number of foreign players to four per team with one of them must come from an association member from the
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal in most countries and territories in Asia. The AFC was formed in 1954. It has 47 members. The Asian Ladies Football Confederation ( ...
. 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.
League table
Results
Season statistics
Top goalscorers
Hat-tricks
Discipline
* Most yellow card(s): 12
**
Manahati Lestusen (
Persikabo 1973
Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Kabupaten Bogor 1973, commonly known as Persikabo 1973, is an Indonesian professional football club based in Bogor Regency, West Java, Indonesia. The club set to competes in the Liga Nusantara, the third tier of ...
)
* Most red card(s): 2
**
Ezechiel N'Douassel (
Bhayangkara)
**
Akbar Hermawan (
Persela)
Awards
Monthly awards
Annual awards
Team of the Season
See also
*
2021–22 Liga 2
*
2021–22 Liga 3
References
165. Duniabet http://islamworldnews.com
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:2021 Liga 1
Liga 1 seasons
Liga 1
Liga 1
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
Liga 1