A nationality controversy centered on naturalized Indonesian players has shaken the entire Eredivisie.
Dutch outlet Holland Football reported on the 2nd (Korea time) that "recently many clubs in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie are urgently reviewing foreign players' eligibility to play," adding, "It's a nationality issue. Players who acquired citizenship to join the Indonesian national team are under scrutiny. It is a point that directly conflicts with the Dutch Nationality Act."
Coach Shin Tae-yong took charge of the Indonesian national team in January 2020 and laid the foundation for Indonesian football over five years until he was dismissed last January. He achieved many results not only with the senior team but also with age-group national teams.
He also wrote several new chapters in Indonesian football history. Shin Tae-yong led Indonesia to the round of 16 at the Asian Cup for the first time ever, and by finishing third in Group C of the Asian region for the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup, he advanced to the stage that decides places in the finals for the first time. In November last year, he also achieved Indonesia's first win over Saudi Arabia by beating them 2-0 in the sixth match of World Cup qualifying Group C.
However, Erick Thohir, president of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), suddenly dismissed Shin Tae-yong last January and appointed Patrick Kluivert as coach. It was all the more shocking because Shin had just signed a contract extension through 2027. Moreover, although Kluivert was a legendary striker in his playing days, he had achieved no results as a coach, which provoked much backlash.
According to Indonesian lawmaker Rosjade, there was a hidden story behind Shin Tae-yong's dismissal. He revealed that one of the naturalized players on the Indonesian national team demanded Shin Tae-yong's dismissal, leading to locker room discord. He added, "This can arbitrarily influence decision-makers," saying, "One of the naturalized players said, 'Either Shin Tae-yong leaves or I will leave.' This story came out a few days ago already. But PSSI still has not denied it."
That remark appears to have been the trigger for Shin Tae-yong's dismissal. Rosjade explained, "That was the start of the move to remove Shin Tae-yong and became the catalyst. After that, they began communicating and lobbying with insiders of the Indonesian national team."
Thohir's appointment of Kluivert, who had no substantial coaching experience, is also linked to the dissatisfaction of naturalized players. At the time, PSSI said the decision was made with the aim of connecting with Europe-based naturalized players, especially those in the Netherlands. In fact, after driving Shin Tae-yong out, Indonesian football accelerated its wave of naturalizations.
However, Kluivert added many naturalized players and effectively built a team composed mostly of naturalized players, yet failed to qualify for the World Cup. Eventually Indonesia parted ways with Kluivert after nine months. Nonetheless, the naturalization of players with Dutch ties continued.
But a major problem emerged. Dutch law is clear: if someone voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country, they automatically lose existing Dutch citizenship. Some exceptions exist, but they are difficult to apply to typical naturalization cases. The problem is that many players who chose the Indonesian national team are not free from this standard.
In fact, the controversy has already risen to the surface. Eredivisie club NAC Breda and Eerste Divisie club TOP Oss filed formal complaints with the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB), saying the opposing team included Indonesian national team players. Dean James of Go Ahead Eagles and Zhou Yaan of Willem II are notable examples.
Those who obtained Indonesian passports and play for the national team are suspected of having legally lost Dutch nationality. The scope of investigation quickly expanded. At least 20 players, including Tjayaron Cherry and Misyan of NEC Nijmegen, Etienne Watson of Heerenveen and Groningen, and Justin Vibner of FC Dordrecht, were classified with the same issue.
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is currently investigating whether about 25 players have retained their nationality. Clubs reacted immediately. NEC Nijmegen removed Cherry and Misyan from the match roster, and Willem II, Groningen and Heerenveen took similar measures. Some players were restricted from both training and match participation. The situation could spread to the point where the league cannot operate normally.
But the KNVB drew a line. It said it will uphold results of matches already played. Results up to the 28th round of the Eredivisie and the 33rd round of the Eerste Divisie are recognized, but strict eligibility checks will apply from subsequent matches. In effect, the message is 'no retroactive application, but no exceptions going forward.'
In the end, for Indonesia, which sidelined Shin Tae-yong and all-in on indiscriminate Dutch naturalizations instead of developing its own players, a major accident has occurred. It remains to be seen what consequences will follow.
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