Persija Jakarta Ordered to Pay 20.7 Billion IDR to Former Striker Simic by FIFA

Former Persija Jakarta striker, Marko Simic, has emerged victorious in a dispute over unpaid wages and bonuses at the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber. This has resulted in Persija being instructed to pay the Croatian striker a substantial sum of 20.7 billion Rupiahs.

Simic, who enjoyed a successful spell with Persija, scoring 73 goals in 111 games and helping the team clinch the 2018 Liga 1 Indonesia title, departed the club amidst a controversy. He claimed that the club had failed to pay his wages throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, spanning from May 2020 to April 2022. The unresolved dispute led to Simic being sidelined during the latter part of the 2021/22 season.

Following his departure from Persija, Simic briefly played for Serbian top-flight club FK Radnicki 1923 before seeking intervention from FIFA. The ruling favored the 35-year-old striker, compelling Persija to compensate him for various outstanding payments, including unpaid wages, bonuses for goals and assists, accommodation and travel reimbursements, and damages for breaching his contract.

In compliance with FIFA’s decision, Persija has been given a 45-day ultimatum to settle the outstanding payments to Simic. Failure to do so would result in a registration ban for the upcoming transfer window, thereby preventing the club from recruiting new players. As of now, the management of Persija has refrained from making any official statement on the matter.

It remains to be seen how Persija will proceed in light of the ruling, as they face the prospect of severe repercussions if the payments to Simic are not fulfilled within the stipulated timeframe. The case serves as a reminder of the significance of honoring contractual obligations and fair treatment of players within the realm of professional football.

The outcome of this dispute also underscores the importance of adhering to lawful employment practices and upholding the rights of individuals involved in the sports industry. Notably, it highlights the jurisdiction and enforcement capabilities of international sporting bodies in safeguarding the interests of players and maintaining the integrity of the sport.