Awaiting Good News From PSSI-FIFA Meeting

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

The new Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo (left) poses for a photo with former Menpora Zainudin Amali before the Handover ceremony at the Kemenpora Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (4/4/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – After it was removed as the host of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Indonesia hopes to remain a part of the international football community. That is why newly appointed Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo expressed his hope that the meeting between Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman Erick Thohir and FIFA representatives would bring good news.

“I am aware that I now serve [as Youth and Sports Minister] amidst various sports issues, especially after Indonesia was stripped of its hosting rights for the U-20 World Cup. However, until now, the PSSI chairman is still fighting for Indonesia by meeting with FIFA. God willing, this week we’ll hear good news out of that meeting. We hope so, because it will impact many things,” Dito said in his remarks prior to his inauguration in Jakarta on Tuesday (4/4/2023).

Earlier, FIFA had stripped Peru of its hosting rights for the U-17 World Cup 2023 on Monday (3/4/2023) evening Western Indonesia Time (WIB). FIFA had determined that Peru was not ready in terms of infrastructure to host the biennial tournament.

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When asked about his thoughts on Indonesia replacing Peru as the host of the U-17 World Cup, Dito only asked that the nation’s football public to be patient and await good news from Erick.

“In terms of soccer issues, we are rooting for the PSSI chairman who has spearheaded the program. We are supporting him. Right now, the PSSI chairman is on his way to FIFA. We are confident that under Pak [Mr.] Erick’s leadership, national football will be transformed.

“Regarding the U-17 World Cup being brought to Indonesia, it is better that we await the results of the meeting,” Dito said after his inauguration.

Apart from that, Dito added, the national sports public must reflect on the experience of the U-20 World Cup. One lesson learned is that politics should not mix with sports.

I think that everything can be achieved with diplomacy and coordination.

The youth and sports minister will prioritize communication and collaboration to connect all sports stakeholders so that differing views on various issues can find common ground.

“I think that everything can be achieved with diplomacy and coordination,” he said.

Regarding the developments on the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy, continued Dito, the solution lay in building a national sports industry ecosystem. Thus, human resource development would be prioritized, from sports management, sports activities, sports architecture, and to sports science, which had been minimally applied thus far.

“I also find that Pak Erick has done a good enough job to foster supporters in a proactive and [friendly] manner. When he returns from FIFA later, we will sit together to solve all issues in national football. That is what must be synergized,” said Dito.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin (left) inspects the Semarang Public Service Mall (MPP) at the Mangkang Terminal Complex, Tugu District, Semarang, Central Java, Tuesday (04/04/2023).

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said the government had not yet thought about holding a different event in place of the U-20 World Cup.

“I think the issue with the cancellation [of the U-20 World Cup] is that the government has no intention of holding another tournament,” Ma’ruf said after inspecting the Semarang public services mall in Central Java on Tuesday.

He also said the government was still making efforts to ensure that Indonesia could take part in other international soccer events organized by FIFA. He emphasized that Indonesia must first develop national football both through the National Sports Grand Design program and in collaboration with FIFA.

Avoiding sanctions

PSSI executive committee member Arya Sinulingga said the association had no thoughts of volunteering as a replacement host at this time.

“We are first and foremost focused on curbing FIFA’s sanctions. As a result, what we need now is to avoid sanctions from FIFA. It will be tough. If we are sanctioned by FIFA in the end, it will be very difficult,” said Arya.

To minimize Indonesia’s chances of being handed heavy sanctions, the PSSI management, represented by PSSI chairman Erick Thohir, is currently holding talks with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

If Erick succeeds with his diplomacy, it is possible that Indonesia will volunteer to replace Peru as the host of the U-17 World Cup, which takes place from 10 Nov. to 2 Dec. this year, with 24 countries participating.

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Lecturer and researcher Fajar Junaedi, from Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta, is of the opinion that for now, the PSSI should focus on the possibility of being sanctioned by FIFA over the cancellation of the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.

According to him, Indonesia has been a focus of public attention and scrutiny. Indonesia also has a bad track record with FIFA because it was stripped of its hosting rights for the U-20 World Cup.

“Indonesia did not bid to host the U-17 World Cup. So it is better not to make any best on the possibility of Indonesia becoming the [U-17] host,” said Fajar.

Fajar added that the most pressing and important issue was improving national football management in line with FIFA’s standards, which included match security and safety in stadiums. (Z09/AFP/REUTERS/*)

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.