Erick Thohir Explains FIFA's Reasons Removing Indonesia as U-20 World Cup Host

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir revealed the main reasons behind FIFA’s decision to strip Indonesia of hosting rights for the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Bali. According to Erick, FIFA saw the intervention in the under-20 tournament agenda from a number of parties.

"FIFA is the highest authority in football in the world, of course with all objections [to the U-20 World Cup], FIFA saw them as an intervention," Erick said after meeting President Joko Jokowi Widodo at the State Palace, Jakarta on Friday, March 31, 2023.

Erick also said that FIFA considered the security issues which had been guaranteed by the government. "In the host contract as a country and the host city contract that was signed, one of [the deals included] is that we guarantee the security. Of course, this is also a concern for FIFA," Erick explained.

In terms of the infrastructure of the stadiums, Erick claimed that Indonesia had actually passed the FIFA inspection on March 21 to March 27, 2023. Six stadiums were planned to be used and had gone through a renovation process in the last three years.

The six stadiums are the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) in Jakarta; Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung; Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang; Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya; Manahan Stadium in Solo; and Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali.

"In terms of facilities, I think FIFA has already talked about the fields that are now ready. Thanks to the central government that really prepared the fields so that all of them passed [the inspection]," said Erick, who also serves as State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister.

Erick mentioned that he was ordered by President Jokowi to make efforts to prevent Indonesia from getting FIFA sanctions after failing to be the upcoming U-20 World Cup host. He claimed to be waiting for FIFA’s decision as it is still holding a council meeting to discuss the transformation of national football.

"I will work hard to re-negotiate so that Indonesia can avoid possible sanctions. From the letter, it is clear that FIFA is studying and considering sanctions for Indonesia," Erick Thohir concluded.

RANDY FAUZI FEBRIANSYAH

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