Jokowi, FIFA President Discuss Indonesia's Football Governance

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday said that he has directly contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino via phone call and discussed the match in East Java’s Kanjuruhan stadium which claimed the lives of over 130 people. According to the President, the call took place on Monday evening and said that Gianni is willing to assist Indonesia in improving the current condition related to football.

"He said that if necessary, FIFA could help improve the governance of Indonesian football," said Jokowi at a press conference in Malang City, East Java, Wednesday, October 5. “We spoke a lot about the tragedy that took place at the Kanjuruhan stadium.”

Previously on Saturday evening, hundreds of people died in the Kanjuruhan Tragedy after the Liga 1 match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya had just ended. As a result of this tragedy, Liga 1 was suspended and the government formed an Independent Joint Fact Finding Team to investigate the incident. 

Among the many discussions between the two, Jokowi said he also discussed matters related to the U-20, which Indonesia is scheduled to host next year. 

This discussion was carried out in the midst of a public discourse fearing that Indonesian football competition would again be banned by the world's highest football federation. One of the incriminating issues was the use of tear gas during the riot at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, which has been banned by FIFA.

However, Jokowi did not specify whether these talks discussed sanctions or the cancellation of Indonesia as the host of the U-20 World Cup. "Any decision is the authority of FIFA," said Jokowi.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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