PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir Will Fly To Zurich For A FIFA Lobby Regarding The 2023 U-20 World Cup

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is still trying to lobby FIFA regarding the implementation of the 2023 U-20 World Cup. There are concerns that Indonesia's status as the host will be revoked.

PSSI General Chairperson (Ketum), Erick Thohir, is rumored to be leaving for Zurich, Switzerland, in the near future. He will meet FIFA to discuss the recent problems.

Hal tersebut seperti yang disampaikan Plt Menpora, Muhadjir Effendy. Dia berharap pertemuan itu menghasilkan titik temu.

"There is still talk. I think Mr. Erick Thohir (Chairman of PSSI) will soon go to Zurich for further consultation with FIFA, is this not at the highest level, right?" he said as quoted by Antara on Tuesday, March 28.

"Yesterday, only one of the Deputy Chairmen of PSSI met, hopefully there will be a meeting point, at least FIFA understands Indonesia's position in this context," continued the man who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Previously, two provinces that hosted the U-20 World Cup, namely Bali and Central Java, expressed their rejection of the arrival of the Israeli national team. This rejection resulted in the cancellation of the U-20 World Cup group stage drawing which was actually held in Bali on March 31, 2023.

If FIFA really cancels Indonesia as the host of the 2023 U-20 World Cup, Muhadjir said the government had not made any plans. However, the government really hopes that FIFA will not change its attitude in appointing Indonesia as the host of the U-20 World Cup.

On the other hand, the government will also try to reduce various kinds of rejections from within.

"God willing, there is no bad chance, all the possibilities are good," hoped Muhadjir Effendy.