Elkan Baggot is a central defender currently playing for Ipswich Town in the Second Division. He was named in the list of 28 Indonesian players preparing for the 3 qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup. But at the last minute, this player did not return to the team because the home team did not allow it.
"We are quite strict with Elkan. We contacted him but he did not respond, even though he had sent a ticket to Dubai. He shared that he wanted to wear the Indonesian national team jersey but the club did not allow it, because they thought the UAE was a place where the complicated COVID-19 epidemic was developing," President of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) Mochamad Iriawan shared on CNN Indonesia on the evening of May 24.
According to Mr. Iriawan, coach Shin Tae-yong was very angry when Elkan Baggot was late in answering whether to go to the UAE or not, as well as not being really interested in the opportunity to wear the Indonesian national team jersey.
"Previously, he asked to wear the Indonesian national team jersey, but now it is difficult to do so," Mr. Iriawan continued to share.
The head of PSSI said that contact with Elkan Baggot was done via the WhatsApp application. According to him, this central defender was not really serious about wearing the Indonesian national team jersey when he was late in responding to messages from PSSI. Previously, the Indonesian side had planned to support Elkan Baggot to the maximum, including thanks to the Foreign Minister.
According to Iriawan, Elkan Baggot's concerns about the COVID-19 epidemic as well as Ipswich Town's team are not really convincing, because at this time, the entire Indonesian squad is very healthy, practicing and living normally in the UAE.
To replace Elkan Baggot, coach Shin Tae-yong called up Arif because (Persebaya Surabaya) and Didik Wahyu Wijayance (PS Tira Persikabo). Both players have trained with the Indonesian team at the training session in Jakarta. According to the schedule, today (May 25), the Indonesian team will have a friendly match against Afghanistan to review the force.
