Can Indonesian Football Escape Again From FIFA Sanctions?

Illustration of PSSI and Indonesian Football. (Photo: Twitter/@PSSI)

JAKARTA - Indonesian football was hit by shocking and painful news. The International Football Federation (FIFA) issued an order that was actually very worried by the public, lovers of Indonesian football.

The world football parent officially announced Indonesia's deletion as the host of the 2023 U-20 World Cup. The actual announcement is predictable, but it still makes a keki.

The day after, the sky in Jakarta seemed to feel the sadness and disappointment of the Indonesian people. Heavy rain flushed the capital city.

Meanwhile, at the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) office in Senayan, Jakarta, it is decorated with a row of flower bouquets complete with various sentences but in line, encouraging PSSI to be strong in facing the trials that come.

In different places, at the Sultan Hotel, Senayan, young Indonesian footballers showed a sluggish face with a circular black ribbon on their arms. Hokky Caraka and his friends gathered together with coaches, staff, and PSSI administrators who were also present with the same feelings.

"Sad and disappointed," wrote Antara, Friday, March 31.

In the last two years, they have trained hard at home and abroad. Both physically and mentally draining. Away from their parents and friends, they live for the dream of appearing in the U-20 World Cup.

But the Garuda Muda squad's hopes collapsed instantly. One slot of participants at the football party at the age of young age disappeared following the cancellation of Indonesia as the host.

Mimpi itu tetap harus dikejar dan kesempatan besar pasti akan terus datang.✨Terima kasih untuk selalu konsisten berjuang membela Merah Putih di kancah internasional, adik-adik. Pertahankan semangat juangmu dan terus fokus dalam mengejar cita-citamu.#KitaGaruda pic.twitter.com/AGY12e1cZP

— PSSI (@PSSI) March 29, 2023

The deletion as the host of the U-20 World Cup is a major blow to Indonesia, which has long prepared to host a football party in the world. From any aspect, it is certain to lose.

Looking back, Indonesia got the status of hosting the U-20 World Cup in 2019 after competing with Brazil and Peru. At that time, the U-20 World Cup was supposed to take place in 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to be postponed until 2023.

Indonesia continues to work hard to build facilities and infrastructure, including repairing six stadiums in Jakarta, Bandung, Solo, Surabaya, Palembang, and Bali to meet FIFA standards.

The Indonesian people are also excited because this is the first time that their beloved country has become the organizer.

Over time, the problem came. A number of parties began to object, especially when Israel, which last year passed the U-20 World Cup qualifiers for the first time.

Israel's call for rejection is increasingly spreading near the date of the event, namely May 20-June 11, 2023. Initially, FIFA remained confident that Indonesia could overcome all existing problems.

Even FIFA remains in the decision to hold the U-20 World Cup in the country, despite the Kanjuruhan Tragedy on October 1, 2022, which killed 135 lives.

However, the refusal from several high-ranking officials in the regions made FIFA announce to postpone and eventually cancel the draw or draw for groups in Bali which was supposed to take place on Friday (31/3).

The sudden cancellation of the group draw event sparked fears that Indonesia would lose its host status.

Sure enough, FIFA finally officially dropped Indonesia as the host of the U-20 World Cup. Despite the fact, FIFA did not specify the concrete reasons for the decision, they only stated "because of the current situation", as reported by Antara, Friday, March 31.

Sanctions

Bad news does not stop at deletion, FIFA through its statement also said there would be potential sanctions for Indonesia.

Hearing the news, he remembered old wounds in 2015. At that time, Indonesia was sanctioned by FIFA because of the government's intervention to PSSI which ended with a ban from competing internationally for a year.

The shadow is currently being felt. Even the potential for heavier sanctions exists, as revealed by PSSI Deputy General Chair Zainudin Amali.

"It's just a matter of waiting for further action, of course I hope that we don't get severe sanctions," Amali said, while remembering the dark history in 2015.

Various speculations related to sanctions have emerged. Of the various potential punishments, the most bitter and terrible was PSSI's suspension by FIFA. If this happens, punishments can spread to others to have a bad impact on football in the country.

Another sanction that overshadowed FIFA's refusal to PSSI participated in all FIFA calendar events. There is also a potential sanction that makes it difficult for Indonesia to get the opportunity to return to host international events, including hosting the 2034 World Cup.

On the other hand, the world's trust in Indonesia has the potential to disappear. Not only in terms of football, but in other sports.

In fact, so far, the Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports has continued to strive to bring international events to Indonesia with a big mission to host the 2036 Olympics.

Pita hitam yang tersimpul di lengan kiri para pemain tim U-20 Indonesia, menjadi simbol duka atas batalnya penggawa Garuda Nusantara berlaga di Piala Dunia U-20.Tetap tegar, Garuda Nusantara! Jangan menyerah, kita berjuang bersama.#KitaGaruda pic.twitter.com/A4qNQyPlwO

— PSSI (@PSSI) March 30, 2023

Gap

Heavy sanctions overshadowed, but of course that high hope did not occur. The stakeholders will definitely fight so that FIFA is not harsh in giving punishment.

Even before FIFA announced Indonesia's removal as the host, the Government of Indonesia and PSSI immediately moved quickly.

With the direction of President Joko Widodo, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir immediately flew to Doha, Qatar to diplomacy to find a solution. In the end, it didn't match expectations, but it has shown Indonesia's seriousness.

Jokowi again asked Erick Thohir to continue to do his best so that Indonesian football would not be sanctioned, including the opportunity to host other events.

Even if you are subject to sanctions in accordance with FIFA's statement, the hope is that it will not be too heavy. Before issuing the sentence, FIFA must also have taken into account all aspects, including the love of the Indonesian people for football.

With a population of more than 270 million people, Indonesia has great market potential. That is the basis for FIFA to potentially not impose harsh sanctions.

Concrete examples of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy. Indonesia can be separated from FIFA sanctions after the Indonesian government took quick steps to approach FIFA.

However, all decisions are in FIFA. Of course, Indonesia will not be subject to sanctions. Even if there is, don't be burdensome.

Most importantly, as stated by Jokowi, make this a valuable lesson for all of us, for Indonesian football.

Improvements must still be made so that the current situation does not happen again. The closing sentence is more or less the same for the manuscript of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy.