FIFA strips Indonesia of hosting rights for Under-20 World Cup

Less than two months before the tournament was due to kick off, world football governing body FIFA has stripped Indonesia of hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup.

The decision follows the cancellation of the official draw for the tournament, which was due to be held on the island of Bali last Friday.

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said FIFA was forced to cancel the draw after Bali's Governor Wayan Koster refused to host the Israeli team.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, does not have any formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Protesters in the country have recently held protest marches in support of Palestinian rights, calling for Israel to be stopped from competing in the tournament.

FIFA is also understood to have been concerned that a series of concerts had been allowed at Jakarta’s GBK Stadium, the country’s national football stadium, despite FIFA requirements that tournament venues should be “sterile” for several months before they host games.

In a statement, the governing body advised "FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023.

"A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged. Potential sanctions against the PSSI may also be decided at a later stage."

Immediately before FIFA's announcement, PSSI Executive Committee member Arya Sinulingga said he was "very pessimistic" about Indonesia keeping the hosting rights, noting "if we make political requirements in sports, it'll always be like this. We will be exiled from the football ecosystem.

"It's very tough for all of us. We're headed into a calamity in sports. We have to separate football or sports and politics."

Criticism of Israel in the country and its policy towards Palestine has been growing after Bali's governor said he did not want them to play in his region and the planned group stage draw was cancelled.

Indonesia was awarded hosting rights for the tournament, due to have run from 20th May to 11th June, in 2019, before Israel qualified for the tournament.

FIFA now faces the task of rapidly finding a host for the 24-team tournament.

Image: Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium which was to have hosted the final and other FIFA Under-20 World Cup matches. Credit: Shutterstock.