U-20 World Cup draw in Bali canceled over Israeli team presence
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The head of the PSSI is expected to update President Joko Widodo on the situation and to communicate with FIFA for a solution.
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The logo of the FIFA U-20 World Cup for Indonesia 2023 (FIFA Official Website)
Indonesia's National Football Association (PSSI) has announced that the U-20 World Cup Draw in Bali has been canceled by FIFA, as confirmed by Member of PSSI Executive Committee Arya Sinulingga.
At a press conference in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Indonesia on Saturday, Sinulingga noted that although the drawing was due to take place in Bali on March 31, the event was canceled due to the Provincial Government's refusal to host the Israeli national team.
"Indeed, we have yet to receive the official letter from FIFA. But the message is clear: it is canceled. We understand (that such a decision) is due to the refusal from the Bali Governor, and Bali Government, regarding the presence of the Israeli team. So by itself, the drawing cannot be done without the participation of one contesting team," he stressed.
"We, PSSI, act as the host. First, (Bali) has refused the presence (of the Israeli team), and then the drawing (got canceled), so it ends up being difficult for us, we can no longer ask for it to be hosted there," Sinulingga added.
The global football federation has yet to notify PSSI with an official letter.
'Indonesia must bear all consequences'
The aspects of diplomacy and foreign affairs will be taken care of by the head of PSSI, Erick Thohir, according to Sinulingga, who will work with the Foreign Affairs Minister alongside the Youth and Sports Ministry to handle the matter.
Thohir expects to update President Joko Widodo on the situation and to communicate with FIFA for a solution since the decision may pose a risk of sanctions against Indonesia. In light of that, Indonesia must be ready to bear all consequences, according to Sinulingga, since it initially offered to host the event.
Read next: Indonesians protest 'Israel's' participation in U-20 FIFA World Cup
"In 2018, we were banned too. We experienced that, so it is not something new, that we had already gone through it. And we do not want it to recur to us," he stated, adding that Indonesia would be considered as in violation of agreements if it fails to meet the expectations.
Among the set of locations selected for the U-20 World Cup, Bali is the only one as others include Jakarta, Bandung, Solo, Surabaya, and Palembang.
Protests took place last week by the Indonesian public against hosting the Israeli team. 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.
