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.
This story is from the June 2023 edition of World Soccer.
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This story is from the June 2023 edition of World Soccer.
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