FIFA has announced that Indonesia has been stripped of hosting rights for the 2023 U-20 men’s World Cup, which is set to kick off in May.
The governing body said a new host would be appointed as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament remaining unchanged.
FIFA’s decision came after Friday’s draw was cancelled amid Indonesia’s stance on Israel, which qualified for the tournament for the first time.
The Jakarta Post reported this month that Bali’s governor Wayan Koster had called for Israel to be forbidden from participating in the tournament. One of the six stadiums that was set to be used for the tournament is located in Bali.
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, does not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel and supports the cause of Palestine.
Conservative Islamic groups led protests last week in Jakarta against Israel’s participation in the tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Indonesian soccer federation president Erick Thohir met in Doha on Wednesday to try and work out a solution, but the two parties were unable to agree on a way forward.
“FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023,” a statement from the governing body read.
“Anew host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged. Potential sanctions against the PSSI (Indonesia’s soccer federation) may also be decided at a later stage.”
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