Persib vs Persija Big Match, Who Will Referee Indonesia's El Clasico?

The biggest match in Indonesian Football, Persib Bandung versus Persija Jakarta, will be held on January 11, 2025 at 15:30 Western Indonesia Time (WIB). Who will referee this Indonesian El Clasico? 

I.League's Operational Director, Asep Saputra, emphasized that his organization lacks authority to determine the referee for this major match. All decisions rest entirely with the PSSI Referee Committee.

"That is truly 100 percent the Referee Committee's authority," stated Asep during the "PSSI Full-time Referee for I.League" press conference in Jakarta, Monday December 22, 2025.

This clarification coincides with the arrival of new foreign referee Yudai Yamamoto from Japan, contracted full-time by PSSI for 1.5 seasons. 

Yamamoto will begin duties in January next year, officiating matches under I.League, particularly in the ongoing 14th week of BRI Super League 2025/2026.

However, Yamamoto's presence doesn't automatically reveal who will officiate the heated Persib vs Persija clash.

"With nine matches weekly, he'll likely handle only one or two games maximum. But again, that's the Referee Committee's authority and jurisdiction," Asep explained.

Yamamoto also couldn't confirm which specific matches he'll oversee.

"Per my contract, I'll commence full-time refereeing in the Super League starting January 1, 2026," Yudai stated.

This Persib vs Persija duel isn't merely a classic derby, but also a decisive match in the upper Standings. 

Persib currently ranks second with 31 points, while Persija trails closely with 29 points. Both are pursuing league leaders Borneo FC, who hold 34 points.(Antara)