Hoping For A Second Chance From FIFA

JAKARTA - FIFA officially revoked Indonesia's status as the host of the U-20 World Cup. Sanctions also haunt Indonesia.

One of the concerns is that there is no longer any confidence from FIFA in Indonesia to hold international events. This is not desirable for the Acting Minister of Youth and Sports (Plt Menpora) Muhadjir Effendy.

He hopes that FIFA will provide an opportunity for Indonesia to continue holding international events after the deletion as the host of the U-20 World Cup.

"The issue (budget for) stadiums and others can still be used as much as possible. We hope that there will be somewhat soothing news from FIFA, because the U (World Cup in the age category) is not only U-20. There is another U," said Muhadjir.

In addition to senior levels and U-20, FIFA has an U-17 World Cup agenda in 2023 with Peru as the host which is scheduled to take place on November 10-2 December. However, in mid-March 2023, Peru was rocked by an earthquake measuring 6.7 magnitudes.

Returning to the U-20 World Cup, Indonesia's removal as the host, said Muhadjir, has become a mutual disappointment and sadness. Moreover, there is the potential for sanctions from FIFA for Indonesia.

"Perhaps we are all disappointed and saddened because of our expectations to make this event a milestone for making further leaps in our national football development," Muhadjir said, as reported by Antara.

"It turns out that this is not what we imagined and of course everything has passed and we must immediately forget all sadness and disappointment," said the man who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

He invited the whole community to look to the future of managing Indonesian football, especially with the very standard rules, namely the Great Design of National Sports (DBON).