FIFA's Statement After Ensuring Indonesia Was Not Sentenced To Heavy Sanctions

FIFA and Erick Thohir (Photo: FIFA) Presidents

JAKARTA - Heavy sanctions overshadowed Indonesia after FIFA officially revoked Indonesia's status as host of the U-20 World Cup. FIFA then released a statement after confirming the sanctions imposed on Indonesia.

The FIFA decision was issued after a series of efforts by the General Chairperson (Ketum) of PSSI, Erick Thohir to meet FIFA President, Gianni Infantino. The last meeting on Thursday 6 April in France stated that Indonesia's sanctions were only in the form of limiting FIFA Forward 3.0 program funds.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has met with PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir in Paris to discuss steps to transform Indonesian football as a continuation of their meeting in Qatar last week, "open FIFA in its official statement quoted Friday, April 7.

In the statement, FIFA also explained that the FIFA Presidential meeting was well utilized by Erick Thohir to convey Indonesian football plans.

Thohir took this opportunity to present the first draft of a strategic plan for Indonesian football which includes all identified areas requiring development, from grassroots to professional levels. He also shared about President Joko Widodo's government plans and commitments to invest in football infrastructure across the country," the statement continued.

From the results of the study and also the sweet fruit of the PSSI Ketum presentation regarding the Indonesian football situation, it was later decided that the sanctions imposed only included administration in the form of limiting funds.

The FIFA president also explained following last week's meeting that the FIFA Administration was a sanction, temporarily providing recommendations for restrictions on FIFA Forward funds until further notice. The FIFA administration will thoroughly review the strategic plans that have been presented today before lifting the sanctions."

Even though in the end Indonesia was still subject to sanctions, the result was quite a relief because it was not a severe sanction that prevented Indonesia from doing activities and contributing to world football. Furthermore, FIFA stated that it would continue to support the development of Indonesian football.

At the same time, he expressed FIFA's full commitment to support PSSI in this crucial transformation process and would provide assistance if needed," the statement explained.