Crisis forces FIFA to withdraw the U-20 Cup from Indonesia – 03/29/2023 – Sport

FIFA has decided to take the U-20 World Cup away from Indonesia. The announcement was made this Wednesday (29).

The change of venue takes place days after the group draw, initially scheduled for last Friday (24), was cancelled. The new country that will host the tournament has not yet been chosen.

The draw was postponed because the governor of Bali, where the event was to take place, refused to hold it because of the ranking of the Israeli team.

The team’s presence is controversial. The two countries do not have diplomatic relations. Recent protests called for Israelis to be banned from participating in the World Cup.

The Indonesian government supports Palestine in the conflict with Israel.

“The date has not been changed. Possible sanctions against PSSI [a federação nacional] may be decided in the future,” says the FIFA statement.

The games are scheduled for the period between May 20 and June 11.

Despite the political tensions, Fifa resisted changing the venue for the Cup with so little time for the first match. But even less did he want to jeopardize the safety of Israeli players.

Five times champion, Brazil is qualified for the World Cup.