JAKARTA — World soccer's governing body FIFA has backed the decision by Indonesian Super League (ISL) officials to start the new season on Saturday with 18 clubs and ignore the advice of the government to ban two sides. The Indonesian Professional Sports Agency (BOPI), sanctioned by the Youth and Sports Ministry, recommended Wednesday that 2010 champion Arema Indonesia and Persebaya Surabaya be removed after concerns about their ownership. League officials said they would ignore the findings of BOPI's review of all 18 clubs, which delayed the season by six weeks while it was being conducted, and kick off as planned with the backing of the football association. — Reuters