Canceled To Host The U-20 World Cup, Golkar Legislators Call The Inconsistency Of The Regional Government And PSSI The Cause

FIFA revokes Indonesia's status as host of the U-20 World Cup. (Photo: Doc. FIFA)

JAKARTA - Commission X of the House of Representatives regrets the cancellation of Indonesia hosting the U-20 World Cup. The commission in charge of sports considered that this cancellation was the result of local government inconsistencies and the lack of maximum government communication through the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI). "I deeply regret the cancellation of Indonesia as the host of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. (This cancellation) Due to the inconsistency of the local government's attitude and public communication from PSSI and the government which is less than optimal. Indonesian football is now losing big money," said Deputy Chairman of Commission X DPR RI Hetifah Sjaifudian to reporters, Thursday, March 30. The Golkar legislator for the East Kalimantan electoral district said that the FIFA strict rules could have a long impact on the world of national football. With this cancellation, the eyes of the world are also focused on Indonesia. "FIFA has strict rules that can have an impact on the exclusion of the Indonesian Football National Team. Of course, it will have a long impact on increasing achievements, the sports industry, the income of athletes, and the pride of the Indonesian nation itself in the eyes of the world," said Hetifah. The deputy of the Golkar Party also brought up the bitter pill that had been swallowed by Indonesian football due to the ban on FIFA. At that time, the Indonesian national team lost money because they could not participate in international competitions. Now, Indonesia also has the potential to receive the same sanctions again. "Indonesia football received the bitter pill of FIFA sanctions in 2015, namely the revocation of PSSI membership from FIFA and the prohibition of the national team and Indonesian clubs from participating in international competitions under the auspices of FIFA and AFC. It would be a loss if Indonesian football again received similar sanctions," said Hetifah. Even so, Hetifah hopes that Indonesia can still participate in the U-20 World Cup. He also asked PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir and Kemenpora to lobby FIFA regarding the impact of future cancellations. "I hope that the Indonesian U-20 Football National Team can still play in the 2023 World Cup, even though it is not in the country itself. Therefore, I hope that Pak Erick Thohir and Kemenpora will continue to make lobbying efforts to minimize the impact of this cancellation," said Hetifah. It is known that the International Football Federation (FIFA) has officially dropped Indonesia as the host of the 2023 U-20 World Cup. The threat of sanctions is also in sight. Indonesia's official statement was dropped as the host of the 2023 U-20 World Cup officially announced by FIFA on Wednesday, March 29 evening WIB. This cancellation refers to the recent situation in Indonesia. This is related to the rejection of the Israeli team's participation in the 2023 U-20 World Cup. In his statement, FIFA said sanctions against PSSI would be given in the next stage.

"The potential sanctions against PSSI can also be decided in the next stage," said the official FIFA statement. Although it will impose sanctions on PSSI, FIFA remains committed to actively assisting PSSI regarding the transformation process of Indonesian football after the tragedy that occurred in October 2022.