FIFA withdraws Indonesia’s right to host U-20 World Cup after anti-Israel protests
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A FIFA, world football’s governing body, stripped Indonesia of the right to host the U-20 Men’s World Cup later this year after an Indonesian official opposed Israel’s participation.
“FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to eliminate Indonesia as host of the U-20 World Cup 2023”said the organization in a statement, without providing further clarification. “A new host will be announced as soon as possible and tournament dates remain unchanged.”
The statement said sanctions against the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) are also possible.
A total of 24 teams will play in the youth tournament in six Indonesian cities from May 20th to June 11th. Israel qualified for the tournament for the first time this year.
Arya Sinulingga, a member of the PSSI executive committee, said FIFA’s decision was due to an Indonesian regional leader’s refusal to host games if Israel participated.
Wayan Koster, governor of the tourist island of Bali, has sent a letter to Indonesia’s sports ministry requesting that Israel be banned from competing in the province, Arya said.
The official draw for the tournament was scheduled for this week in Bali, but it has been cancelled.
Football is hugely popular in Indonesia, but violence and mismanagement have plagued its leagues for decades. The country is still recovering from one of the world’s deadliest stadium disasters, in which at least 135 people died and more than 300 were injured at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java, in October last year.
Winning the hosting rights for the U-20 World Cup was a significant step forward for Indonesian football and missing out on the tournament threatens to damage the country’s reputation in the sport.
Source: CNN
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