Jokowi Doesn't Want Indonesian Football To Be Sanctioned, Sends Erick Thohir To Zurich Lobi Gianni

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Kris

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered the Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir to fly back to Zurich, Switzerland so that he could meet the President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino again.

This was done not long after Jokowi received a letter from FIFA. Jokowi also asked Erick Thohir to prepare a road map for the transformation of Indonesian football so that it would be immediately submitted to FIFA. The reason Jokowi sent Erick Thohir back was because he wanted Indonesia to avoid FIFA sanctions.

"Maybe in these months I hope that later the General Chairperson of PSSI, Mr. Erick Thohir, can fly back to Zurich to convey the things I said earlier," said Jokowi at the GBK area, Senayan, Jakarta, Saturday, April 1 yesterday.

Previously, Jokowi met with the Indonesian U20 national team players. Jokowi's meeting was scheduled to provide enthusiasm and enthusiasm for U20 football players who failed to compete in the 2023 World Cup.

In a press conference that took place at the Gelora Bung Karno (SUGBK) Main Stadium in Jakarta, Saturday, April 1, 2023, the former Governor of DKI Jakarta asked not to be discouraged.

"U20 is because you are still young and still have a chance. You can play at the SEA Games, you can play at the Asian Games, you can play at the AFF, you can still play at the 2024 Olympics, I think the opportunity is still long," said Jokowi.

Jokowi hopes that the players will not get involved in disappointment and sadness. The reason is, Jokowi said that there are still many U20 national team players and dreams that must be pursued.

"So that they don't get lost in disappointment and sadness, I said that in the future we want to have a team that has been built from the start continuously, prolonged, so that we can get a national team that is really ready," he said.

President Jokowi also expressed his disappointment and sadness after Indonesia failed to host the U20 World Cup.

This was conveyed by Jokowi online from Maros, South Sulawesi. Despite being disappointed and sad, Jokowi said the public must respect FIFA's decision.

"Last night I received a report from the Chairman of PSSI that FIFA has decided to cancel the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia. Of course we must respect the decision," Jokowi said on YouTube broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat.

"I know this decision makes many people disappointed. I also feel the same way, I feel it. Disappointed and sad," he added.

Jokowi advised all parties not to waste energy blaming each other. In addition, this must be a valuable lesson for everyone.

The revocation of Indonesia's status as host of the U20 World Cup by FIFA was announced after the meeting of PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. FIFA will appoint a new host of the U20 World Cup in the near future.

"Following today's meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) President Erick Thohir, FIFA has decided, because of the current situation, to remove Indonesia as the host of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The new host will be announced as soon as possible," said FIFA's official statement.