“Indonesia didn’t bribe the right people,” Fans react as Indonesia is stripped of men’s Under-20 World Cup hosting rights after Israel conflict

Indonesia lost it's right to host this year's men's Under-20 World Cup


“Indonesia didn’t bribe the right people,” Fans react as Indonesia is stripped of men’s Under-20 World Cup hosting rights after Israel conflict

According to FIFA, Indonesia has been stripped of the right to host the Under-20 World Cup after the governor of Bali refused to host Israel’s team who qualified for the competition. “FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA 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.”

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The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the major reasons for their refusal with Indonesia publicly supporting the Palestinian cause being the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. Protesters marched in the capital Jakarta waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags and demanding Israel not be allowed to participate in the competition.

A meeting was organized between the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, and the PSSI chair, Erick Thohir before taking the decision. PSSI officials have yet to comment on the decision. Furthermore, the loss of hosting rights will be a huge setback in Indonesia, where football has a massive following, despite the lack of international success since qualifying for the 1938 World Cup as the Dutch East Indies.

Related: “A tragic day for Palestinian sport,” 23-year-old Palestine football player shot dead by Israeli forces in West Bank raid

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Here is how fans reacted after Indonesia lost its hosting rights

“Indonesia is a FIFA member, so for any international football matters, we have to abide by the rules,” Thohir said in a statement on PSSI’s website. “I ask all football lovers to keep their heads held high over this tough decision by FIFA. It’s time we proved to FIFA to work harder to transform football towards clean and high-achieving football.”

The Indonesian football federation could be further disciplined by FIFA. A suspension that could remove the country from Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which starts in October. Argentina is reported to show interest in hosting the event after failing to qualify for the competition. The football matches were scheduled to take place within a month in six stadiums over Indonesia.

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