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PDI-P criticizes FIFA ‘double standard’ on Russia, Israel
PDI-P secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto accused FIFA of applying a double standard by allowing Israel, which he accused of committing human rights violations against Palestinians, to play in the U-20 World Cup while barring Russia from international competitions over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
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Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto. (The Jakarta Post/Twitter/Yusril Ihza Mahendra)
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senior politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has criticized world soccer governing body FIFA’s policy allowing Israel to participate in the U-20 World Cup scheduled for next month.
PDI-P secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto accused FIFA of applying a double standard by allowing Israel, which he accused of committing human rights violations against Palestinians, to play in the youth tournament while barring Russia from international competitions over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
"This is a double standard from FIFA, and we need to criticize this. We should not turn a blind eye to any humanitarian problems," Hasto said during a discussion broadcast by CNN Indonesia on Monday.
Read also: Bali governor says he's not to blame for U-20 U-turnHasto accused FIFA of bowing to pressure from Israel.
"It punishes Russia but refuses to punish Israel, and we're going to be silent about this? We should stand up to this," Hasto said.
The senior PDI-P politician also called for support of Bali Governor Wayan Koster, who issued a statement opposing the Israeli U-20 team’s presence on the resort island.
"This is why we need to support Pak Koster. What he does is akin to what Poland and Western Europe did in rejecting the war [in Ukraine]," Hasto said.
Earlier this month, Koster wrote to the Youth and Sports Ministry asking it to "adopt a policy forbidding the Israeli team from competing in Bali" over the conflict with Palestine.
Koster's stance prompted FIFA to postpone the U-20 Bali group stage draw scheduled for next week.
