Fifa removes Indonesia as host of 2023 Under-20 World Cup amid Israel row

Indonesia has been stripped of the right to host the Under-20 World Cup, Fifa has announced. The decision to remove the Asian nation as host of the tournament starting in May was taken by Fifa after the Indonesian football federation (PSSI) said it had cancelled the draw because the governor of Bali refused to host Israel’s team.

“Fifa has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the U-20 World Cup 2023,” a Fifa statement said. “A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged. Potential sanctions against the PSSI may also be decided at a later stage.”

Football’s global body added that the decision had been taken after a meeting between its president, Gianni Infantino, and the PSSI chair, Erick Thohir. PSSI officials have yet to comment on the decision.

Earlier this month, protesters marched in the capital Jakarta waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags and demanding Israel not be allowed to participate. Indonesia’s population is predominantly Muslim. Most Indonesian Muslims practice a moderate version of Islam, but there has been a rise in religious conservatism in recent years that has crept into politics.

Protesters in Jakarta demand the Indonesian government ban the Israel team from playing at the Under-20 World Cup.
Protesters in Jakarta demand the Indonesian government ban the Israel team from playing at the Under-20 World Cup. Photograph: Mast Irham/EPA

Earlier this week, the PSSI said losing hosting rights would harm the Indonesian football team’s chances of taking part in other Fifa tournaments, while the economic losses would amount to “trillions of rupiah”.

Fifa said that it was committed to aiding the PSSI following a deadly stampede last year that led to the deaths of 135 spectators at a stadium in East Java in October. “Members of the Fifa team will continue to be present in Indonesia in the coming months and will provide the required assistance to the PSSI, under the leadership of president Thohir,” the statement said.

“A new meeting between the Fifa president and the PSSI president for further discussions will be scheduled shortly.”

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As host, Indonesia automatically qualified for the Under-20 World Cup, but the national team has not played in the tournament since 1979.

source: theguardian.com