Concerts to proceed at Jakarta’s GBK Stadium despite FIFA concerns over impact on Under-20 World Cup playing surface

A series of concerts are to go ahead at Jakarta’s GBK Stadium, Indonesia’s national football stadium, despite requests from world football governing body FIFA over potential damage to the playing surface that will be used during this year’s Under-20 World Cup.

The 88,000 capacity Jakarta venue is to play host to concerts featuring BLACKPINK and Raisa in the coming weeks, despite FIFA having ordered that tournament venues should be “sterile” for six months before they host games.

FIFA had previously refused a request to allow the usage of the stadium for activities other than football, with FIFA Men’s Tournament Manager Christian Schmolzer sending a letter in December to Football Association of Indonesia Secretary General Yunus Nusi that included the advice that “holding two concerts with several days of preparation and demolition of activities on the playing field, will certainly greatly hinder us from implementing the field management program as planned.”

This followed Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sport Zainudin Amali advising in November that  concerts were not allowed under FIFA rules at the host stadiums for six months, with the exception of other football matches.

However, the FA of Indonesia appears to be ignoring these requirements.

Under-20 World Cup Project Committee lead and FA of Indonesia Deputy General Secretary, Maaike Ira Puspita informed CNN Indonesia on 10th February that “we are in constant communication with FIFA. We have reported any activities. For these concerts, we have communicated them from the beginning of the year.

“What is prioritised is the quality of the grass. This is what we continue to coordinate.”

Pupista did not advise how the quality of the grass is being prioritised.

Adryanto Pratono, Chief Executive of Raisa concert organisers, Juni told CNN Indonesia late last month that the organisers, on their part, would endeavour to keep the pitch in top shape, commenting “just like all of us who do love this stadium … I, personally, and Raisa love this stadium very much and am very proud to be here.

“So believe me, with all our strength we are committed to maintaining this stadium. That’s really all I can do.”

The FIFA Under-20 World Cup is being held across Indonesia from 20th May to 11th June.

Image: Jakarta’s GBK Stadium. Credit: Shutterstock.