PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir Chooses To Focus On Organizing The U-20 World Cup Instead Of Discussing The Participation Of The Israeli National Team

Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir refused to discuss other matters related to the participation of the Israeli U-20 national team in the 2023 U-20 World Cup which will be held in Indonesia. According to him, on this golden occasion to become the host, the most important thing is the focus on organizing.

"I think back (about the participation of the Israeli national team), yesterday there was a meeting. If PSSI focuses on implementation, we just focus on it," said Erick Thohir after the event in the Senayan area on Wednesday, March 8.

Erick Thohir considered the moment to host the U-20 World Cup was not the right time to discuss other situations outside of football. He admitted that he focused on preparing the national team.

"We are also focused on preparing the national team, the political affairs are not in our domain, that is clearly the domain of the government," he continued.

Erick Thohir's statement regarding the focus on preparing for the U-20 World Cup was also supported by Zainudin Amali. Menpora, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of PSSI, agrees that things outside of football will have their own domain.

"Now the one who handles (about the participation of the U-20 Israel national team) is the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs," said Zainudin Amali on the same occasion.

"It is true, said the chairman of PSSI, that his (federation) task is to prepare the national team and technical matches. Later in time, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs will definitely convey the steps," continued Amali.

The 2023 U-20 World Cup will be held in six cities in Indonesia from May 20 to June 1. Of the total 24 countries that will appear, so far 16 countries have confirmed themselves.

Apart from Indonesia and Israel, other countries that have been confirmed to appear are the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, United States, Fiji, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, New Zealand, England, France, Italy and Slovakia.