The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) said Thursday it will release a list of foreign players who could potentially create problems because of immigration offenses or bad temper.

Max Boboy, a PSSI official overseeing the transfer of players, said the list of troubled foreigners would be published in the media at the request of local clubs.

"Many have called me to get information about foreign players mentioned in the 'black list'," he told reporters in Jakarta.

The release is aimed at reinforcing sportsmanship in the game and preventing local clubs from "buying a cat in the bag," he said, referring a local saying that means hiring persons without first knowing their quality.

The decision came after the Immigration office arrested 20 foreigners from African countries on Feb. 5 for immigration offenses. Some of the suspects were believed to be footballers who plan to make fortune in Indonesia.

The Indonesian Football League, which is divided into two groups that bring together 36 clubs, employs 179 foreign players and 14 foreign coaches.

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2008)