Indonesian football fans had endured years of mismanagement, incompetence and corruption even before last October’s Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy that cost 135 lives. It was a shocking disaster but, for those in what is arguably Asia’s most passionate football nation, not that surprising. There was one bright spot on the horizon and a chance for a new start for the game. The FIFA Under-20 World Cup in May was to be by far the biggest sporting tournament to be held in the world’s fourth-most populous country. It was not just seen as a turning point but a chance to show an international audience a colourful, vibrant and diverse culture on and off the pitch.
And then, just like that, it was gone. All because of a row that started in Bali, one of three islands – along with Java and Sumatra – due to host to the 24 teams and the location of the draw that was to be made on March 31. A week earlier Wayan Koster, governor of Bali, a mainly Hindu island in the Muslim majority nation, wrote to Indonesia’s sports minister protesting the presence of Israel in the competition and reminding of the country’s support of Palestine:
“[There is no] diplomatic relationship between the Indonesian government and the Israeli government…we request the Minister adopt a policy forbidding the Israeli team from competing in Bali,” read the letter. Ganjar Pranowo, governor of Central Java, made similar comments.
この記事は World Soccer の June 2023 版に掲載されています。
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この記事は World Soccer の June 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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