Four players from the Indonesia national team have been temporarily suspended from league matches in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie after the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) imposed restrictions linked to work permit regulations.
A total of 25 players in the Netherlands who recently changed nationality are currently affected by the ruling, including several who switched their citizenship from Dutch to represent other national teams. The situation directly impacts four Indonesia internationals, raising concerns for both their clubs and the national team program.
The four Indonesian players caught in the administrative issue are Dean James (Go Ahead Eagles), Justin Hubner (Fortuna Sittard), Nathan Tjoe-A-On (Willem II), and Tim Geypens (FC Emmen)
According to the KNVB directive, clubs have been instructed not to field these players in league matches until their registration status is fully clarified.
The complication arises because these footballers previously held Dutch passports but later changed nationality to represent other countries such as Indonesia, Suriname, or Cape Verde. As a result, they must now be officially registered as non-EU players, which requires specific work permits under Dutch football regulations.
Until the administrative process is finalized, the affected players will remain temporarily sidelined from domestic competition.
Not all Indonesian internationals in the Netherlands are impacted. Players such as Maarten Paes, Mees Hilgers, and Miliano Jonathans
have already had their non-EU work permits properly processed by their respective clubs, meaning they are eligible to continue playing in Dutch league matches.
For the four affected Indonesian players, the suspension is temporary but indefinite while the KNVB reviews the situation and clubs complete the necessary paperwork.
The issue highlights the complex administrative challenges faced by dual-nationality players, particularly those who switch international allegiance while competing in European leagues.
For Indonesia, the development will be closely monitored as these players remain important members of the Garuda squad setup, and any prolonged absence from club football could affect their match fitness ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
For now, the players must wait for the final ruling from the KNVB — hoping the bureaucratic hurdle will be resolved quickly so they can return to the pitch.
Credit Photo : Fortuna Sittard
