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Players, fans dismayed after Indonesia loses U-20 hosting rights
International soccer's governing body FIFA stripped Indonesia of hosting rights on Wednesday over what an Indonesian official said was a failure to honour its commitments to the tournament.
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This handout picture taken and released on March 30, 2023 by the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) shows members of Indonesia's Under-20 team and officials reacting after FIFA announced the cancellation of the Indonesia 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup soccer tournament, at a hotel in Jakarta. FIFA announced on March 29 it had removed Indonesia as hosts of this year's U-20 World Cup amid political turmoil over Israel's participation. (AFP/PSSI). (AFP/PSSI)
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layers and fans were left dismayed on Thursday after Indonesia was dropped as host of the under-20 soccer World Cup following outrage among politicians about Israel's participation.
International soccer's governing body FIFA stripped Indonesia of hosting rights on Wednesday over what an Indonesian official said was a failure to honour its commitments to the tournament.
FIFA made the decision after the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) said it had cancelled the draw because Bali's governor refused to host Israel's team.
World soccer's ruling body said the decision had been taken following a meeting between its President Gianni Infantino and PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir.
One Indonesian player who was due to play in the tournament blamed politicians for the setback.
"We sacrificed our time, thoughts, sweat and even blood. But it suddenly failed due to your political reasons," striker Rabbani Tasnim Siddiq said on Instagram.
Another player, Hokky Caraka, said he had lost the chance to fulfil a "life goal to make my parents proud, scoring goals in the U-20 World Cup".
