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RI still hopes to host FIFA U-17 World Cup, but hurdles are high
The recent freezing of FIFA Forward Fund as penalty for Indonesia’s botched hosting of the U-20 World Cup would not financially disrupt Indonesia’s capacity to host the U-17 match, but it would still be a challenging ordeal to overcome, analysts said.
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he recent freezing of FIFA Forward Fund as penalty for Indonesia’s botched hosting of the U-20 World Cup would not financially disrupt Indonesia’s capacity to host the U-17 match, but would still be a challenging ordeal to overcome, analysts said.
The momentum might have been lost and the bidding prospect will prove to be especially arduous for Indonesia.
“It is still [technically] possible. But the momentum has been lost. Our target has always been the U-20 tournament, and psychologically, the public’s excitement was shattered,” sports expert Djoko Pekik Irianto told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
The Indonesian U-17 team, Djoko added, would also be far from ready to compete in such a high-level tournament, scheduled for November. Even if FIFA offers Indonesia for the position, it will most likely be a gesture to comfort the disappointed Indonesian public.
On Thursday, Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) president Erick Thohir said FIFA had frozen its Forward Fund for Indonesia, initially set to aid PSSI’s operationalization.
The decision, Erick explained, served as Indonesia’s penalty for not being able to fulfill its U-20 FIFA World Cup host obligations after several public figures rejected the attendance of the Israeli national team to Indonesia.
The sudden cancellation was met with widespread public disappointment and concerns FIFA would subject Indonesia to heavy sanctions, including banning the country from future tournaments.
But after lobbying with FIFA president Gianni Infantino under President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s order, Erick expressed great relief when announcing FIFA’s decision not to ostracize Indonesia.
"With God's grace and prayers from the Indonesian people, especially soccer lovers, we were spared from the heaviest sanction. We were given a yellow card, so to speak, and not a red card,” said Erick, speaking from Paris.
"After I passed on [the President’s] message, and explained the blueprint of our soccer [plans], FIFA only gave us the administrative sanction. […] This will be reviewed again after FIFA studies Indonesia's grand soccer development strategy.”
Meanwhile, FIFA said in a statement, at the meeting Erick had presented various areas where “immediate improvements were needed from grassroots to the professional game”.
“At the same time, [Infantino] reaffirms FIFA’s full commitment to support PSSI in this essential transformation process and will provide the necessary assistance where required,” the Thursday statement read.
Damage done
While freezing the Forward Fund would impact PSSI’s operations, the possible financial loss would not be likely to paralyze the association’s monetary capacity significantly.
PSSI deputy chairman Zainudin Amali suggested the association might still have enough in their reserves to host the U-17 FIFA World Cup.
On Tuesday, Zainudin said if FIFA would allow it, the association would “fight for the hosting position” initially held by Peru but subsequently withdrawn due to lack of infrastructure.
“Yes, the fund is quite significant, but I’m not too concerned. Erick, as a businessman and politician, has more than enough resources and access to make up for it,” soccer expert Anton Sanjoyo told the Post on Friday.
Yet Anton remains pessimistic in spite of FIFA's “yellow card”, saying enough damage had been done by the cancellation of the U-20.
Anton said it was not public perception or the Indonesian players’ readiness that would be the primary concern, since it was also likely soccer fans would be delighted to watch a world cup tournament regardless of whether it was the U-20.
The biggest challenge, he suggested, would be recovering Indonesia’s reputation among FIFA decisionmakers after the failed hosting position.
“While FIFA did not explicitly mention the cause of Indonesia’s withdrawal as host, I do think it had a lot to do with the [Israel] issue. This is a huge problem. They are extremely repelled by race or nationality-based issues. We might not have a chance unless this is resolved,” he warned.
Regardless of the U-17 hosting position, Erick said Indonesia was still committed to improving its soccer infrastructure, with 22 soccer stadiums across the country already set for renovation.
FIFA’s decision also meant the country was in the clear to compete at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), he added.
