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Indonesia will still be able to compete in the football competition of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore despite the nation being suspended by FIFA on Saturday. The world governing body sanctioned the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) on the grounds of government interference in the country's football affairs. The ban, which comes into effect immediately, means Indonesia will not be eligible to compete in the next round of qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup, starting in less than two weeks. However, FIFA allowed Indonesia's U23 team to play in the SEA Games because the football tournament has already started. FIFA took action against Indonesia following a row between the country's government and the football association which has resulted in the cancellation of the 2015 Indonesian Super League (ISL) season. "The Executive decided to suspend the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) with immediate effect and until the PSSI would be able to comply with its obligations under arts. 13 and 17 of the FIFA Statutes," the FIFA statement said. "This decision resulted from the effective 'take over' of the activities of PSSI by the Indonesian authorities. "However, and as an exceptional measure, the national team would be allowed to continue their current participation in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games." Indonesia's first match in the SEA Games is against Myanmar on Tuesday at the Jalan Besar Stadium. They play host nation Singapore in their final Group A game on June 11 at the same venue. The Indonesians were in Group F of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers along with Southeast Asian neighbours Thailand and Vietnam. 2007 Asian Cup winners Iraq and Chinese Taipei are the other teams in the group. Indonesia's first game was scheduled for June 11 against Chinese Taipei, with former Holland international Pieter Huistra recently appointed Merah Putih's interim head coach.
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