Israeli Team puts Indonesia’s Image at Risk

The Indonesian government signed a government declaration containing guarantees for the fulfillment of the rights of all contestants in the tournament. The letter was addressed to the President of FIFA.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Chairman of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup Organizing Committee Erick Thohir when checking the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Jakarta, Monday (13/3/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Problems continue to plague Indonesia’s hosting of the 2023 U-20 World Cup ahead of the opening ceremony slated for May 20. Discourse over the Israeli team’s participation has taken over, potentially leaving Indonesia with a bad image.

Several parties have refused to host the Israel team, including Bali Governor I Wayan Koster. Wayan signed letter No. T.00.426/11470/SEKRET addressed to the Youth and Sports Ministry, which stated that the Bali administration refused to allow the Israeli U-20 team to compete at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Gianyar, in the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

However, Bali, as well as Jakarta, Bandung (West Java), Surakarta (Central Java), Surabaya (East Java) and Palembang (South Sumatra) were appointed to host the tournament when the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) volunteered to host the U-20 World Cup in 2019. The regional heads of these six cities also signed a host city agreement, which was one of the mandatory documents needed to register a host city for the FIFA tournament.

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Additionally, the Indonesian government also signed a government declaration containing guarantees for the fulfillment of the rights of all contestants in the tournament. The letter was addressed to the President of FIFA.

Israel qualified for the 2023 U-20 World Cup as runner-up during last year’s U-19 European Championship. The 2023 U-20 World Cup will be the final round of inaugural FIFA tournaments that Israel is participating in.

PSSI is focused on organizing and preparing the national team. The government is responsible for political affairs.

PSSI chairman Erick Thohir said discourse surrounding Israel had become a political issue that was being handled directly by the government, particularly the Foreign Ministry. The PSSI, he continued, was responsible for successfully hosting the tournament and preparing a national team that could compete in this international event.

“PSSI is focused on organizing and preparing the national team. The government is responsible for political affairs,” said Erick.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

FIFA representatives (right) carry out the final inspection of the readiness of the U-20 World Cup at the Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium (GSJ), Palembang, South Sumatra, Thursday (23/3/2023).

Save Our Soccer coordinator Akmal Marhali believes the rejection is natural in a democratic country. Moreover, disapproval of Israel’s presence is based on Foreign Ministerial Regulation No. 3/2019 concerning foreign relations by regional administrations.

However, Akmal explained, Israel’s participation in the U-20 World Cup was based on a qualifying round that had been approved by FIFA and all FIFA members. As a result, Israel competing in Indonesia did not result from a political decision.

“When Indonesia volunteered to host [the tournament], it also accepted the risk that Israel would qualify,” said Akmal in Jakarta, on Thursday (23/3/2023).

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Furthermore, Israeli athletes have attended several other international tournaments in Indonesia, such as the 2015 Badminton World Championships and the 2023 UCI Track Nations Cycling Race. Meanwhile, there has been no precedent for rejecting one of the contestants of a FIFA tournament.

The impact of this rejection could resemble Malaysia’s disqualification from hosting the 2019 Paralympic Swimming World Championships. “This needs to be thoroughly understood so that we can be fair in distinguishing political interests from sporting matters,” said Akmal.

Football observer Fajar Junaedi is of the opinion that there are a few issues tied to Israel’s participation in the U-20 World Cup. From FIFA regulations to the fact that the Indonesian government has no diplomatic ties with Israel.

“The best course of action is for the PSSI, FIFA and the government to sit together and find a solution to this problem. Constitutional considerations and fair play in the realm of politics, economy and sport should all be taken into account,” said Fajar.

Final inspection

During the final inspection ahead of the 2023 U-20 World Cup on Thursday, FIFA assessed that there were still a number of minor issues that needed to be addressed by the Sriwijaya Gelora Stadium in Palembang.

“The only drawbacks were minor issues. Previously, our target was to complete everything by March 31. However, FIFA came and saw that there were some parts that were not clean and clear,” said South Sumatra Public Works, Housing and Settlement Agency head, Basyaruddin Akhmad.

Basyaruddin added that these minor issues would be addressed and resolved no later than April 1. These minor issues include cutting the spectator fence so as not to obstruct the view as well as tidying the royal box, lobby, path to the stadium and the guest lounge.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.