Thom Haye: Persib Champion Three Times, But Facilities Not Improved

A drawn match, then an AFC Champions League Two fixture just two days later. Thom Haye says it is nearly impossible to maintain full fitness in such a congested schedule. Because Persib Bandung, champions three times, have not improved their training and recovery facilities. In the 2026/26 season, Persib Bandung won their third consecutive domestic league title. But amid this success, midfielder Thom Haye has publicly complained that the club's infrastructure remains as inadequate as before. The team currently sits at the top of Indonesia's top football league (conventionally known as Liga 1, though the article refers to it as 'Super League'). However, according to Haye, despite the increasing number of titles, the club's training and recovery facilities have not improved at all. Last week, after a 2-2 draw against Dewa United, Persib had to play an AFC Champions League Two match against The Cong Viettel of Vietnam with only a two-day gap. Haye described this two-day turnaround as 'nearly impossible.' He said, 'There is no way to maintain full fitness in such a short time.' According to sports science, a player needs three to four days for complete physical recovery after a match. A two-day break means players cannot perform at full strength in the latter stages of matches. The root cause is the club's recovery infrastructure. Haye revealed that he is recovering at teammate Marc Klok's residence instead of the club's own facilities. It is clear that Persib's in-house recovery system is not sufficient to handle the competitive load. A top club should have its own physiotherapy, massage, and recovery center. But for Persib, these facilities are so weak that players have to seek external arrangements. Meanwhile, the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium is unavailable due to maintenance. This forces the team to travel long distances. With new competitions like the Shopee Cup and AFC Champions League Two, Persib's operational load has increased significantly. To cope with this extra travel and match pressure, improved training and recovery facilities are essential. But according to Haye, the club management has paid no attention to this. Some might argue that Haye is a national team player, so his complaint is merely personal dissatisfaction. But that argument does not hold here. If the club does not invest in infrastructure even after winning three titles, it is a squad-wide problem. When Haye says, 'We feel proud, but we receive no appreciation,' it is clear that the issue is not just financial but also about recognition. A club that consistently achieves success should invest in infrastructure to sustain that success. But Persib is not doing that. In this situation, a blockchain-based data tracking system could be an effective solution. If football clubs' financial transactions, infrastructure investment records, and player fitness data are stored on a blockchain, transparency can be ensured. If information about how much money the club management earns and where it spends is on-chain, players and fans can easily verify it. This would force the club to be accountable and create pressure to improve player facilities. Persib Bandung is currently at the top of Indonesian football. But what is the cost of staying at the top? Haye's public statement is a warning to the club management. If infrastructure is not improved, this success will not be sustainable. If players' physical condition deteriorates, results will also suffer. The question is, will Persib understand this signal? Or will they make the same mistake again on the path to a fourth title?