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Having been tasked by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo with engaging in last-ditch lobbying of world soccer’s governing body FIFA, Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chief Erick Thohir admits he is facing a difficult task keeping Indonesia’s hopes of hosting the U-20 World Cup alive.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Indonesian national team’s match against Burundi on Tuesday night, Erick revealed that he would depart for Switzerland to consult with FIFA to dispel the uncertainty over Indonesia's role in hosting the youth tournament.
“Finding a solution for Indonesian soccer will not come so easily; I will try my best. Please pray for us all,” Erick told reporters just hours before his departure for Zurich.
FIFA on Sunday canceled the tournament’s group stage draw amid widespread opposition to Israel’s planned participation in the competition in Indonesia.
The movement gained traction after politicians from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) threw their weight behind the protests, which had previously been promoted mostly by right-wing Muslim groups.
“[The U20 World Cup] is FIFA’s event. So we will have to hear from FIFA on their views and what the consequences would be [for making an exception for Israel]. Only then can discussions to find the best solution begin,” Erick said.
With Indonesia’s hopes of hosting the U-20 event now hanging by a thread, other countries have begun eyeing their chances of taking over hosting duties from Indonesia.
Read also: Why does Indonesia’s largest nationalist party want Israel out of U-20?“It’s only fair that [others have lined up to take over], since the situation has become such a hot topic and the foreign press has also picked it up. But this is FIFA’s property, so they will decide, and the consequences [of their decision] is something we’ll have to anticipate,” the minister said.
Erick also dismissed recent reports that the PSSI had received a letter from FIFA notifying it that Peru, the host of the U-17 World Cup this year, would take over.
“If there was any such letter, we would not cover it up. This is the era of openness and professionalism,” he added.
Erick is expected to meet with FIFA officials at their Zurich headquarters at 1 p.m. local time.
Also on Tuesday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that Israel’s participation in the event would in no way change Indonesia’s “steadfast” support for Palestine.
“But concerning the U-20 World Cup, [the government] agrees with the [statement of] Palestine’s ambassador to Indonesia, that FIFA has rules that its members must obey. So don’t mix sports and politics,” he said in a video message from the Presidential Palace.
Jokowi added that both the government and the PSSI were still searching for the best solution. Since the political impasse, FIFA has yet to issue an official comment.
The controversy threatens the nation’s dreams of hosting the senior soccer World Cup in 2034 and potentially the Olympic Games in 2036.
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