Ganjar Pranowo Affirms The Decision To Exclude RI From Hosting FIFA U-20 World Cup

Ganjar Pranowo Photo Via Central Java Provincial Government

JAKARTA - The Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, confirmed that he does not have the authority to cancel the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia. Indonesia's status as the full host of FIFA and PSSI.

"If I can make a statement and thwart a job of this magnitude, where is the authority. I think if the decision rests with FIFA and then they communicate with PSSI. Of course, they will have prepared everything," Ganjar explained as quoted in his special interview. with Najwa Shihab, Tuesday 4 April.

Ganjar conveyed that his attitude against Israel's participation in the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia was based on various considerations. Starting from history, security, to government regulations. Ganjar confirmed that he had no regrets about the attitude he had chosen.

"I never doubted the decisions I made," he said.

The PDI Perjuangan politician also emphasized that he did not reject the U-20 World Cup, but Israel's participation. So, he said at that time he was pushing the government to make breakthroughs in negotiations so that the U-20 World Cup could take place in Indonesia, without Israel's participation.

"So we want this to be successful. But I have a moral, constitutional, party responsibility, that there is a mission that we must carry in relation to our relationship with Israel," said Ganjar.

On the other hand, Ganjar also said that he had never thought about destroying the dreams of the U-20 national team players who wanted to compete in the World Cup.

More than that, Ganjar admitted that he was surprised by the opinion that was built that he was the cause for Indonesia's cancellation of hosting the U-20 World Cup.

"If it's because of me, can I then just decide today again, live it again without Israel?" he said.