FIFA announced this Wednesday that it has decided to withdraw from Indonesia the organization of the U-20 World Cup scheduled for this year, after the meeting between its president, Gianni Infantino, and the president of the Indonesian Federation (PSSI), Erik Thohir, “due to to current circumstances.”
The new organizer will be announced as soon as possible and the dates of the tournament, which is scheduled to take place between May 20 and June 11 in various cities on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java and Bali, remain unchanged for the time being. , according to FIFA, which indicated in a statement that “possible sanctions for the PSSI will be determined later.”
The president of the PSSI, Erick Thohir, traveled to Geneva to talk with FIFA and try to resolve the doubts surrounding the holding of the competition in Indonesia due to the rejection expressed in the country against the participation of Israel.
Last Sunday the 26th, the Indonesian Federation announced that FIFA had canceled the draw for the World Cup and although it had not received an official reason for adopting this measure, it related it to a letter from the governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, who requested a veto. of Israel in the competition on the island.
Israel’s team is one of those that have already qualified for the World Cup, along with the host country, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, Fiji, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, New Zealand, Slovakia, the United States of America and Uruguay, in the absence of the last Asian and African qualifiers being played to decide the 10 remaining places.
On March 14, the governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, sent a letter to the Indonesian government to request that the participation of the Israeli team be vetoed, alleging that “Israel’s policies towards Palestine are incompatible with the policies of the Republic of Indonesia”, champion of the Palestinian cause.
In addition to the regional head of Bali, the governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, also expressed his rejection of Israel, and on March 20 dozens of Muslims marched in Jakarta to protest against the participation of their team in the competition.
In its statement, FIFA stressed that “despite the decision adopted, it remains committed to helping the PSSI, in close collaboration with the Government of President Widodo, to carry out the process of transforming national football after the tragedy that occurred in October 2022”, alluding to the stampede that occurred at a football match and in which at least 174 people died.
“The members of the different FIFA teams will remain in Indonesia for the next few months and will assist the PSSI as necessary under the direction of President Thohir. A date for a new meeting between the FIFA president and the FIFA president will be agreed shortly. PSSI,” FIFA added.
