Indonesia loses U-20 World Cup host status over 'Israel' participation
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FIFA has removed Indonesia as the host of the Under-20 World Cup after the cancellation of the draw over the Israeli occupation's participation in the tournament.
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In this photo released by the Press and Media Bureau of the Indonesian Presidential Palace, Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivers his statement at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 28, 2023 (Indonesian Presidential Palace AP)
Indonesia was removed as host of 2023's under-20 World Cup, FIFA announced Wednesday after the draw was canceled following protests over the participation of the Israeli occupation in the tournament.
Global football's governing body said a new host country would be announced "as soon as possible", with the tournament set to start on May 20.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup is a football world championship organized by FIFA for players under the age of 20.
Dozens of Indonesians on Monday marched in the country's capital, Jakarta, to protest the Israeli occupation's participation in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 set to be hosted by Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.
Waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags, more than 100 demonstrators gathered in a thoroughfare in downtown Jakarta, calling for the Israeli athletes to be denied a spot in the coming championship.
"Israel’s long history of oppression against the Palestinian people motivates us to strongly reject Israel’s presence in any form in Indonesia," one protester pointed out, as quoted by the Associated Press.
After a two-year delay due to COVID-19 restrictions, a total of 23 countries and "Israel" are participating in the championship.
Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Israeli occupation and is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. However, officials said the government would not prevent "Israel" from taking part in the tournament.
Additionally, Bali's provincial governor Wayan Koster has reportedly requested Indonesia's Sports Minister Zainudin Amali to ban "Israel's" participation in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
"[There is no] diplomatic relationship between the Indonesian government and the Israeli government. [...] We request the Minister adopt a policy forbidding the Israeli team from competing in Bali," Wayan wrote in a letter dated March 14, cited by The Jakarta Post.
The motivation for such a decision is based on the respect the Governor holds for Indonesia’s position on the "Israeli-Palestinian issue", reports say.
Several copies of the letter were sent to the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs.
