Indonesia surprisingly hires a referee skilled in martial arts, 'unfazed by physical clashes'

A special staffing choice by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is attracting attention, as the Indonesian Super League is set to bring in a foreign referee with a “highly distinctive profile.”

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has officially appointed Japanese referee Yudai Yamamoto as a full-time official for the Super League, starting from January 1, 2026. This decision has drawn significant attention within the region, as Indonesia chose a foreign referee who is not only rich in FIFA experience but is also highlighted for his ability to manage tense situations effectively.

PSSI’s Referee Committee Chairman, Yoshimi Ogawa, confirmed that Yamamoto will work full-time from the second phase of the 2025/2026 season, expected to last until mid-2026/2027. According to Ogawa, this choice was made based on an objective evaluation after testing several foreign referees from Singapore, Uzbekistan, and Malaysia.

What particularly caught the attention of Indonesian media was Ogawa’s candid emphasis on Yamamoto’s martial arts skills. He stated: “He has many years of experience refereeing in various countries. He even possesses martial arts skills, so he can handle anyone.” This statement quickly sparked debate, as Indonesia is known for its matches full of physical confrontations.

Yudai Yamamoto began his career in 2008, was promoted to first-class referee in the J-League, and has held a FIFA badge since 2011. He officiated matches in Liga 1 in 2017 and six Super League matches this season before deciding to leave Japan to work full-time in Indonesia.

According to Ogawa, to take on the full-time referee role, Yamamoto had to give up his FIFA badge because he cannot simultaneously officiate in AFC and FIFA tournaments. “That is why we proposed Yamamoto to become a full-time referee,” Ogawa said, showing PSSI’s strong confidence in his ability “to wield the whistle firmly” of the Japanese referee.

I.League Competition Director, Asep Saputra, believes Yamamoto’s presence will elevate the quality of the local refereeing team. He affirmed: “Of course, he is not perfect and may make mistakes, but with his background and experience, I believe his presence will help improve the refereeing standards in Indonesian Liga.”

Yamamoto himself admitted that Indonesian football has a less stable pace compared to Japan, requiring referees to stay highly focused. He shared: “Indonesian football is less consistent than Japan in terms of match tempo.” Notably, Yamamoto has even learned local slang to better manage discipline, ready to face the hottest situations on the field.