(Football news) Indonesia have been stripped of their hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup by FIFA. The decision follows the cancellation of the official draw of the tournament which was supposed to be held in Bali last Friday. According to the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI), FIFA were forced to cancel the draw after Bali’s governor Wayan Koster refused to host the Israeli team. The tournament is set to take place from 20 May to 11 June and it adds further complications for FIFA who now have to scramble at the last minute to find an alternate host.

FIFA and Israel have no diplomatic relations and there have been heavy protests across the country by citizens demanding that Israel are not allowed to compete for the tournament in support of Palestine. Indonesia were awarded hosting rights in 2019 before Israel had qualified for the tournament.

Half an hour before FIFA’s announcement, PSSI executive committee member Arya Sinulingga said he was “very pessimistic” about Indonesia keeping the hosting rights. He said “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.”

A statement released by FIFA read “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.”

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