Participate In The Israeli National Team In The 2023 U-20 World Cup Indonesia Tuai Polemic, Menpora: Now The Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs

The Minister of Youth and Sports who is also the Deputy Chairman of PSSI, Zainudin Amali. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

The participation of the Israeli national team in the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia has drawn controversy. The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Zainudin Amali, said that regarding Israel's arrival to Indonesia, it entered the realm of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Kemenkopolhukam).

"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," Zainudin said on an occasion.

He said the government would provide full support for the implementation of the 2023 U-20 World Cup. Amali also said that there were already assigned parts.

The man from Gorontalo reiterated that he was related to security, foreign relations and several other things had been coordinated with the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD.

"It is true, said the chairman of PSSI, that his task (federation) 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," said the man who is also the Deputy Chairperson of PSSI I.

Previously, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir was reluctant 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 opportunity to 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.

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.