How Anti-Israel Protests Cost Indonesia a FIFA Soccer Championship

Last Friday, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, another party member who is widely considered to be a presidential contender, said he, too, supported efforts to ban Israel from the tournament. Mr. Ganjar emphasized that backing an independent Palestine has been a cornerstone of Indonesian foreign policy for decades.

On Wednesday, the party’s secretary-general, Hasto Kristiyanto, said in a statement that the country should “not compromise our ideology for the sake of the market.”

After the meeting with Mr. Erick failed to resolve the dispute on Wednesday, FIFA said in a statement that Indonesia would not host the event “due to the current circumstances.” FIFA said the dates of the tournament would remain unchanged and that it would announce a new host “as soon as possible.”

Indonesia could face further penalties in the weeks ahead, including a possible ban from qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Mr. Erick said that he had “tried his best” to resolve the situation and that the country had to accept FIFA’s decision. “I ask all soccer lovers to keep their heads held high over this tough decision by FIFA,” he said in a statement.

Indonesia has spent close to $12 million renovating five stadiums and 20 practice fields in preparation for the championship. DJs and musicians have teamed up on an official soundtrack. By Thursday morning, Nova Rianto, a visibly emotional assistant coach with Indonesia’s under-20 team, posted a video on Instagram showing players sniffling as he tried to console them.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/29/world/asia/indonesia-israel-world-cup-soccer.html