FIFA withdraws hosting rights for U-20 World Cup from Indonesia, to name new host soon
Barely two month to the event, world football governing body, FIFA has announced withdrawing hosting rights for the forthcoming 2023 U-20 World Cup originally scheduled for Indonesia.
Nigeria, along with three other African countries have already qualified for the tournament, a ticket picked after reaching in the semi-finals of the AFCON U-20 championship in Egypt, earlier this month.
According to sources, FIFA’s decision which came after a meeting with Indonesia’s Football Association, may not be unconnected with rising football violence in the country which worsened during a stampede that occurred during a match that saw over 300 fans killed, last year.
“Following today’s meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir, FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-20 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.
“FIFA would like to underline that despite this decision, it remains committed to actively assisting the PSSI, in close cooperation and with the support of the government of President Widodo, in the transformation process of Indonesian football following the tragedy that occurred in October 2022. Members of the FIFA team will continue to be present in Indonesia in the coming months and will provide the required assistance to the PSSI, under the leadership of President Thohir.
“A new meeting between the FIFA President and the PSSI President for further discussions will be scheduled shortly,” the statement read.
The planned U20 FIFA World Cup was scheduled to run from May 20 to June 11 in Indonesia.
