Revealed! Government Submits Terms To FIFA Regarding Israel's Participation In The U-20 World Cup, But Rejected

Acting Minister of Youth and Sports Muhadjir Effendy. (Photo: Doc. Kemenpora)

JAKARTA - Acting Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Muhadjir Effendy revealed, the Indonesian government submitted a number of conditions to FIFA regarding the participation of the Israeli team in the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

Muhadjir assessed that FIFA could not accept these requirements. According to Muhadjir, a number of conditions from the Government of Indonesia are in accordance with the 1945 Constitution (UUD).

"When there is a country whose team we indicate is included in that category, there must be special prerequisites, and that is what we propose to FIFA and there seems to be no common ground," explained Muhadjir in the Presidential Palace, Monday, March 27.

However, he was reluctant to reveal the requirements requested by the Indonesian Government to FIFA.

"The condition is, I don't need to convey it to my friends (journalists)," said Muhadjir, as quoted by Antara.

He then mentioned that the government was holding on to the 1945 Constitution in organizing the U-20 World Cup.

"Anyway, what we hold is not a matter of policy but this is a matter of compliance with the constitution, and our constitution is in the Basic Law, the preambule of the first line (mentioning) 'That independence is actually the right of all nations and therefore colonialism above the world must be abolished because it is not in accordance with humanity and justice', that is the factor we hold," said Muhadjir.

The man who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) then emphasized that the government does not mind if the Israeli team participates in the U-20 World Cup. However, it must be based on certain conditions so as not to violate the 1945 Constitution.

"This means that if the Israeli team is also present to join, it really does not violate the constitution of our government, it does not mean that we reject his presence, and for that we have submitted several conditions to FIFA. He (Israel national team) may come from this, like this, "said Muhadjir.

This means, he explained, if the Israeli team is present, it will not automatically violate the Indonesian constitution if it meets a number of conditions put forward by the government. "So far, there have been Israeli delegates present at our international meetings," said Muhadjir.