Canceled As Host For The U20 World Cup, Bandung Regent: Increase The Spirit To Build Football In The Country

The Indonesian national team was silenced by Thailand 4 goals without reply in the final of the 2020 AFF Cup first leg, Wednesday 29 December 2021. (doc PSSI)

Bandung Regent Dadang Supriatna admitted that he was disappointed that FIFA canceled Indonesia to host the 2023 U20 World Cup. As a result, Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (SJH) was not used as one of the locations for the tournament matches.

From that disappointing moment, Dadang invited all parties to take a positive lesson. So, he said, do not let the unity and integrity of the nation be divided.

"Let's make this incident a motivation to remain face-to-face and further strengthen the nation's identity, and increase the spirit of football development in the country," said Dadang in Bandung, West Java, Thursday, March 30, as reported by Antara.

Dadang also thanked the central government, because after all the SJH Stadium was chosen and given the trust to host the 2023 U20 World Cup match.

"Even though in the end (the U-20 World Cup) was not implemented, we still respect (FIFA decision)," said Dadang.

Previously, the FIFA world football federation officially stated that it had crossed out Indonesia as the host of the U-20 World Cup after FIFA President Gianni Infantino held a meeting with PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, March 29.

FIFA said they would immediately appoint a new host, while the date for organizing the competition did not change.

In addition, it was also announced that the potential sanctions against Indonesia would also be announced at the next stage.