FIFA Only Gives 'Ying Cards' To Indonesia, Erick Thohir: Alhamdulillah

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Kris

JAKARTA - Indonesia can breathe a sigh of relief regarding the light sanctions given by FIFA following the cancellation of Indonesia as the host of the 2023 U-20 World Cup. The General Chairperson (Ketum) of PSSI, Erick Thohir, is grateful for this decision.

Erick Thohir also explained that the sanctions given were administrative sanctions that could be categorized as yellow card sanctions. This situation can prevent Indonesia from excluding world football.

"I can only say, Alhamdulillah, on the grace of Allah SWT and prayers from all Indonesian people, especially football lovers," said Erick Thohir in his official statement in Paris on Thursday, April 6.

Indonesia can avoid severe sanctions for excluding world football. In other words, Indonesia only gets yellow cards, not red cards," he explained, adding about FIFA sanctions.

Erick Thohir also explained that the administrative sanctions given by FIFA were in the form of freezing FIFA Forward funds for PSSI operational purposes.

"After I conveyed President Jokowi's message and explained the blueprint for our football, FIFA only gave administrative sanctions in the form of freezing FIFA Forward funds for PSSI operational purposes," said Erick Thohir.

"This will be reviewed after FIFA learns the big strategy of developing Indonesian football," he explained.

The administrative sanctions given by FIFA are considered by Erick Thohir as a learning material and a blessing for Indonesian football, which is currently continuing to improve towards improvement in all sectors.

"I tried my best when I met FIFA. With this sanction, we are still continuing the football transformation program with FIFA," said Erick Thohir.

"With this sanction, we are not given a red card, but a yellow card so that we can play and compete in the SEA Games at the end of this month," he concluded.