JAKARTA - Vice President (Vice President) Ma'ruf Amin said there was still hope for the Indonesian national team players who failed to compete in the U20 World Cup. The Garuda U-20 squad could not appear in the prestigious world football tournament because it was no longer the host status.
"Yes, as I said, this is not the end, but this is part of the process; and there is still tomorrow, there are other events. Therefore, our footballers must not lose their spirits, continue to practice," said Ma'ruf in Banda Aceh City, Aceh, Thursday, March 30, confiscated by Antara.
FIFA dropped Indonesia as host of the U20 World Cup after FIFA President Gianni Infantino held a meeting with PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir Zuhrich in Switzerland, Wednesday, March 29.
"Continue to be fostered. We (the government) will continue to negotiate. Even though the implementation is canceled, it doesn't mean we can't participate in other international events, because FIFA sees our football potential as large," said Ma'ruf.
He revealed that FIFA itself also wants to foster Indonesian football, even going to have an office in Jakarta.
"Because, he (FIFA) sees our spirit of football as big and the talents we have are also great. God willing, hopefully, there will be no sanctions. We hope so, but our opportunity to rise is always open," he added.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian U20 national team players seemed to express their disappointment because Indonesia canceled hosting the U20 World Cup.
This disappointment was conveyed through social media by mentioning the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo who stated that he refused to participate in the Israeli Team if the U20 World Cup was held in Indonesia. The various disappointed comments were conveyed on the Instagram account @ganjar_pranowo.
"Thank you very much sir. Oh yes sir, we know sir, your fate is guaranteed. Your future is also good," wrote the Indonesian national team striker U-20 Hokky Carakan via the @hokkycaraka_ account.
Another comment from Hokky Caraka was written in capital or caplock letters.
"While we sir? We are just about to start a career for the better. However, our stepping stone has been destroyed by you," he added.
In addition, there was also the Indonesian U-20 National Team Midfielder Marselino Ferdinand who expressed his disappointment with Ganjar through Javanese.
"He's in good health, sir. It's okay, sir, I'm not angry. The point is that I'm so sane," wrote Marselino with the account @marselinoferdinan10.
In a statement on its official website, FIFA stated that it would soon appoint a new host for the U-20 World Cup after canceling Indonesia as the host. The date for organizing the U-20 World Cup competition has not changed, namely on May 20-June 11, 2023.
In addition, it was also announced that the potential sanctions against Indonesia would be announced at the next stage.
"FIFA wants to underline that despite this decision, it remains committed to actively assisting PSSI, through close cooperation and with the support of President (Joko) Widodo, in the process of transforming Indonesian football following the tragedy that occurred in October 2022," said the FIFA statement.
The U-20 World Cup has attracted the attention of many parties in Indonesia after the rejection of the Israeli team as a potential participant.
Apart from Ganjar, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster also expressed his rejection by sending a letter to the minister of youth and sports to state that Bali was reluctant to host the matches involving Israel.
A number of these rejections then made FIFA cancel the drawing process for group participants which was supposed to take place on Friday, March 31.
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