Indonesia seeks to escape punishment from FIFA
On April 3, PSSI president Erick Thohir flew to Switzerland to meet FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the hope of helping Indonesian football escape punishment. "I will negotiate with FIFA and do my best," Thohir said before leaving.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo also asked President Erick Thohir to work closely with FIFA. "I ordered the PSSI president to be in constant contact with FIFA so that we would not be penalized," Widodo was quoted as saying by Bola newspaper.
FIFA stripped Indonesia of the right to host the 2023 U20 World Cup on March 28, because the country let politics interfere in football. Previously, the Bali island government refused to allow Israel U20 representatives to enter because of disagreements between politicians, leading to the draw could not take place as planned on March 31.
In parallel with the removal of the right to host the U20 World Cup, FIFA also announced that it would consider heavy penalties for Indonesian football. This country's press predicts that Indonesia may be banned from participating in FIFA tournaments for one to three years, thereby losing the right to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Bola newspaper emphasized that FIFA may not be lenient this time, because it forgive Indonesia in the tragic stampede at Kajuruhan Stadium that killed 131 people in October 2022.
Meanwhile, Indonesian fans hope Thoir will convince FIFA to let Indonesia replace Peru as the host of the 2023 U17 World Cup, which will take place from November 10 to December 2. On the evening of April 3, FIFA announced that Peru was deprived of the right to host this tournament due to the lack of infrastructure.
Peru rejected FIFA's statement, saying that the country was capable of organizing, but had to prioritize the recovery of places affected by the recent flood. Peru proposed hosting in two cities other than the original plan, but FIFA did not approve.
"Indonesia has begun to be evaluated as a potential replacement for Peru," CNN Indonesia said. "In addition to the infrastructure that is ready to host the U20 World Cup, the absence of Israel also makes it easier for Indonesia to receive the participating countries." Israel failed to qualify for the U17 World Cup in Europe, winning only two points in a group containing Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Belarus.
