As A Result Of The Israeli Attack, PSSI Offers The Armed Palestinian Football National Team In Indonesia

PSSI General Chair Erick while watching the Indonesian national team match against the Palestinian national team at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Wednesday (14/6/2023). The friendly match ended with a score of 0-0. BETWEEN PHOTOS/Moch Asim/hp

Jakarta - The All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) offers the Palestinian Football Asociation (PFA) or the Palestinian Football Association to use stadiums in Indonesia as home to their national team during the 2026 World Cup Qualification.

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir emphasized the commitment and full solidarity of Indonesian football to Palestine. Therefore, in the midst of the conflict and humanitarian issues that are attacking the Palestinian people due to the Israeli attack, PSSI offers assistance by providing stadiums in Indonesia for use by the Palestinian national team.

"We offer Indonesia as home to Palestine as they play the 2026 World Cup qualifying home game against Australia this month. Our home is Palestine too," said Erick Thohir as quoted by Antara, Saturday, November 4.

The offer given by PSSI was greeted with emotion by PFA. Through an electronic message, PFA Deputy Susan Shalabi appreciated the form of support and commitment given by PSSI.

Previously, via electronic mail, PSSI Secretary General Yunus Nusi wrote to PFA representing PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir expressing his deepest condolences and solidarity to the Palestinian people affected by the Israeli attack.

PSSI understands that the Palestinian national team has a home match schedule in the 2026 World Cup Qualification round of the second against the Australian national team on November 21. Therefore, Yunus said that Erick Thohir offered that Palestine could play in Indonesia.

"In connection with what is happening in Palestine today, we sincerely offer the Palestinian team to compete against Australia on November 21 in Indonesia in a joint Qualification preliminary round 2. Mr. Erick Thohir, President of the Federation, will facilitate the Palestinian team in the areas of accommodation, land transportation and also the stadium for the match at their own expense," Yunus wrote in his letter.

Susan Shalabi appreciated PSSI's condolences. According to him, this means a lot to the Palestinian people during difficult times.

"The president (of football federation) of you, Mr. Erick Thohir, has really shown his greatness, solidarity and generosity by offering accommodation, land transportation, and even stadiums for matches at their own expense. This attitude shows the spirit of Indonesian unity and support for Palestine," said Susan.

As for the offer, Susan said that her party had chosen Kuwait as the venue for the match.

"Please send our thanks to President (PSSI) Thohir for his kindness. The head coach and technical director chose Kuwait for its closeness (with Palestine). We express our gratitude wholeheartedly for your good offer and look forward to the continuation of cooperation between our associations," he said.

In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Palestinian national team will travel to face the Lebanese national team in the opening match of the group E qualifying which will take place on November 16. Then in the second match will face the Australian national team on November 21.