I Wayan Koster Invites The Public To Respect FIFA's Decision

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Bali Governor I Wayan Koster asked the public to respect the decision of the International Football Federation (FIFA) in canceling Indonesia as the host of the U20 World Cup.

"There has been a FIFA decision, that's enough. We just respect FIFA's decision," said Koster on the sidelines of the Bali arts and cultural exhibition in Tokyo, Sunday, quoted by Antara.

Koster also met and greeted the Palestinian Ambassador to Japan, but admitted that he did not talk about the U-20 World Cup.

"Nothing. Just greeting in relation to attendance at this event," he said.

Koster is one of the regional heads who rejected the arrival of the Israeli national team in the U20 World Cup, apart from the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo.

Last Wednesday night FIFA decided to write off Indonesia from the host status of the 2023 U20 World Cup.

FIFA called the latest condition in Indonesia the reason for the decision, which was taken after FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir.

Before FIFA made the decision, in Indonesia there was a wave of rejection from several regional heads against the arrival of Israel's U20 national team in the FIFA tournament.

The revocation of the host status made Indonesia not entitled to appear in the U-20/2023 World Cup because it failed to get tickets via the regular qualifying path after failing to reach the top four of the 2023 U20 Asian Cup.

FIFA also stated that it would determine sanctions for Indonesia in the near future.

The FIFA decision was also in the spotlight of the media in Japan, one of which was The Japan Times which reported the sadness of the Indonesian U-20 national team which failed to compete in the prestigious championship.

The daily article entitled 'Furry and sadness in Indonesia after FIFA kicks Under-20 World Cup' also highlighted the incident at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, which killed 135 people last year.