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 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 season was abandoned and declared void after three matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 season after putting it under suspension twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 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 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, the country with the most COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia. 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 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 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, West Java, and DKI Jakarta with six stadiums (Benteng Taruna Stadium, Pakansari Stadium, 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 and Special Region of Yogyakarta 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 province but in different nine stadiums (Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Gelora 10 November Stadium, Kanjuruhan Stadium, Gajayana Stadium, Surajaya Stadium, Petrokimia Stadium, Gelora Delta Stadium, Brawijaya Stadium, Gelora Bangkalan Stadium).
The fourth and fifth series will be held in Bali 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, West Java, and DKI Jakarta.
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. In late 2020, Bhayangkara relocated to Surakarta from Jakarta and changed its name to Bhayangkara Solo. However, the changes were annulled, according to PSSI in its 2021 annual congress.
Stadiums and locations
Team Location Stadium Capacity Arema Malang Kanjuruhan 42,449 Bali United Gianyar Kapten I Wayan Dipta 23,081 Barito Putera Martapura Demang Lehman 15,000 Bhayangkara Surakarta Manahan 20,000 Borneo Samarinda Segiri 16,000 Madura United Pamekasan Gelora Madura 15,000 Persebaya Surabaya Gelora Bung Tomo 45,134 Persela Lamongan Surajaya 16,000 Persib Bandung Si Jalak Harupat 27,000 Persija Jakarta Gelora Bung Karno 77,193 Persik Kediri Brawijaya 20,000 Persikabo 1973 Bogor Pakansari 30,000 Persipura Jayapura Mandala 30,000 Persiraja Banda Aceh Harapan Bangsa 45,000 Persita Tangerang Indomilk Arena 30,000 PSIS Semarang Citarum 7,000 PSM Makassar Andi Mattalatta 15,000 PSS Sleman Maguwoharjo 31,700 Notes:
Personnel and kits Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and coaches may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt Sponsor(s) Arema Eduardo Almeida Johan Alfarizi SEA Vidio, The Legion Nutrition, MS Glow for Men, Indomie, Panca Persada Medika, Torabika Duo Bali United Stefano Cugurra Fadil Sausu Mills Indofood, Smartfren, Wuling, Buana Capital, YCAB Foundation, AdaKami, Alderon, OVO, KukuBima Ener-G!, Bank Ina, Indomie, Intersport, CBN Fiber, MS Glow for Men, Vidio Barito Putera Rahmad Darmawan Rizky Pora Made by club Hasnur Group, Maming Enam Sembilan Bhayangkara Paul Munster Awan Setho Mills BNI, Envi, Gojek, Go-Pay, Viral Blast Global, Jasa Raharja, Extra Joss Borneo Ahmad Amiruddin (caretaker) Javlon Guseynov Etams Ansaf, CRK, Mr. Cuanisasi, Extra Joss, Energi Borneo Timur Madura United Fábio Lefundes Fachrudin Aryanto XTen Integra Group, Kangean Energy Indonesia, KukuBima Ener-G!, POJUR, Viral Blast Global Persebaya Aji Santoso Rachmat Irianto AZA Kapal Api, Vidio, Extra Joss, Pansaka, Go-Pay, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, MPM Honda Distributor, The Legion Nutrition Persela Vacant Dwi Kuswanto Adhoc So Nice, BeliKopi, Extra Joss Persib Robert Alberts Supardi Nasir Sportama Indofood, Mobil, Permata Bank Syariah, Halodoc, Pria Punya Selera, Intersport, Kopi ABC, Envi, Didimax, Indomie Persija Sudirman Andritany Ardhiyasa Juara Amman Mineral, KukuBima Ener-G! C-1000, Indomie, Amindo Prima Sejahtera, Anargya Aset Manajemen, Viral Blast Global Persik Javier Roca Andri Ibo Noij Extra Joss, Harmoni Kediri Persikabo 1973 Liestiadi Manahati Lestusen Adhoc SBOTOP, Extra Joss Persipura Alfredo Vera Ian Kabes SPECS Freeport Indonesia, KukuBima Ener-G!, Bank Papua, SIMANJA, Kartu Debit Persipura Persiraja Sérgio Alexandre Mukhlis Nakata Adhoc Extra Joss, Dek Gam Foundation, PDAM Tirta Daroy, Mifa Bersaudara, JRG Rahayu Shuttle, Ujong Neubok Dalam Persita Widodo C. Putro Agung Prasetyo Made by club Palang Merah Indonesia, Matrix Broadband, Indomilk, Moya, Krating Daeng, Indomie, SOS Children's Villages Indonesia, Aetra Tangerang PSIS Dragan Đukanović Wallace Costa RIORS Charlie Hospital, Baja Indoraya, Indomie, DBAsia.news, Extra Joss, Pelindo III PSM Joop Gall Zulkifli Syukur Ewako PSM! Honda, Kalla Group, KukuBima Ener-G! PSS I Putu Gede Bagus Nirwanto SMBD Bank Mandiri, Ace of News, Indomie, SKS Ready Mix, Haji Tjandra Racing Team, Viral Blast Global 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 Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Week Table Incoming coach Date of appointment PSM Bojan Hodak Signed by Kuala Lumpur City 9 January 2021 Pre-season Syamsudin Batola (caretaker) 7 March 2021 Persik Budi Sudarsono Contract expired 10 February 2021 Joko Susilo 11 March 2021 Arema Carlos Oliveira Contract expired 17 February 2021 Eduardo Almeida 3 May 2021 Persela Nil Maizar Contract expired 23 February 2021 Iwan Setiawan 2 June 2021 Persija Sudirman Demoted to assistant coach 26 April 2021 Angelo Alessio 11 June 2021 PSM Syamsudin Batola End of caretaker role 8 July 2021 Milomir Šešlija 8 July 2021 PSIS Dragan Đukanović Resigned 10 August 2021 Imran Nahumarury (caretaker) 10 August 2021 Borneo Mario Gómez Resigned 16 September 2021 3 5 Ahmad Amiruddin (caretaker) 16 September 2021 PSIS Imran Nahumarury End of caretaker role 17 September 2021 3 4 Ian Gillan 17 September 2021 Borneo Ahmad Amiruddin End of caretaker role 3 October 2021 6 9 Risto Vidaković 3 October 2021 Persik Joko Susilo Sacked 3 October 2021 6 16 Alfiat (caretaker) 3 October 2021 Persiraja Hendri Susilo Sacked 27 October 2021 9 18 Akhyar Ilyas (caretaker) 27 October 2021 Madura United Rahmad Darmawan Sacked 9 November 2021 11 14 Fábio Lefundes 15 November 2021 Persik Alfiat End of caretaker role 11 November 2021 11 15 Javier Roca 11 November 2021 PSIS Ian Gillan Became technical director 15 November 2021 11 4 Imran Nahumarury 15 November 2021 Persipura Jacksen F. Tiago Sacked 19 November 2021 12 17 Alfredo Vera 21 November 2021 Persikabo 1973 Igor Kriushenko Sacked 23 November 2021 13 12 Liestiadi 25 November 2021 PSM Milomir Šešlija Sacked 25 November 2021 13 10 Syamsudin Batola (caretaker) 25 November 2021 Persela Iwan Setiawan Sacked 29 November 2021 14 15 Ragil Sudirman (caretaker) 29 November 2021 Barito Putera Djadjang Nurdjaman Sacked 14 December 2021 17 15 Rahmad Darmawan 31 December 2021 PSIS Imran Nahumarury Resigned 18 December 2021 17 6 Dragan Đukanović 27 December 2021 PSS Dejan Antonić Sacked 19 December 2021 17 11 I Putu Gede 20 December 2021 Persela Ragil Sudirman End of caretaker role 20 December 2021 17 16 Jafri Sastra 20 December 2021 PSM Syamsudin Batola End of caretaker role 29 December 2021 17 12 Joop Gall 29 December 2021 Persiraja Akhyar Ilyas End of caretaker role 2 January 2022 17 18 Sérgio Alexandre 2 January 2022 Persija Angelo Alessio Sacked 19 January 2022 20 8 Sudirman 20 January 2022 Borneo Risto Vidaković Resigned 20 January 2022 20 7 Fakhri Husaini 22 January 2022 Persela Jafri Sastra Resigned 21 February 2022 27 17 Ragil Sudirman 21 February 2022 Borneo Fakhri Husaini Sacked 26 March 2022 34 6 Ahmad Amiruddin (caretaker) 26 March 2022
Foreign players PSSI 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. Teams can use all the foreign players at once.