World soccer governing body,FIFA has revoked the hosting rights of the 2023 U-20 World Cup from Indonesia.
This is the outcome of the meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir.
The development to remove Indonesia as the host was taken after its football federation (PSSI) said it had cancelled the draw following the governor of the largely Hindu island of Bali’s refusal to host Israel’s team.
“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” the body said in a statement on Wednesday.
There has been a growing religious tension in the country recently with protesters marching in the capital Jakarta earlier this month-waving the Indonesian and Palestinian flags with demands that Israel not be allowed to participate in the competition.
FIFA added that it “would like to underline that despite this decision, it remains committed to actively assisting the PSSI, in close cooperation and with the support of the government of President Widodo, in the transformation process of Indonesian football following the tragedy that occurred in October 2022.”
“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”.