- Title: Jakarta residents lament removal of Indonesia as FIFA U-20 World Cup host
- Date: 30th March 2023
- Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (MARCH 30, 2023) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC DRIVING PAST LARGE BANNER OUTSIDE INDONESIA'S MINISTRY OF SPORTS BUILDING VARIOUS OF BANNERS PROMOTING INDONESIA AS HOST OF UNDER-20 SOCCER WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) 65-YEAR-OLD LOCAL RESIDENT, TANATUR TARIGAN, SAYING: "I think it's regrettable that these kids (football players) can only be 'kampung' or local players, and will end up unable to attend any tournament because all tournaments are held by FIFA. For those old people who are unhappy that Israel is playing, please think of our children's future in football." TRAFFIC DRIVING PAST JAKARTA'S WELCOME STATUE JAKARTA'S WELCOME STATUE INDONESIAN NATIONAL FLAG LOCAL RESIDENT, RINI YULIANTI, WALKING PAST (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) 40-YEAR-OLD LOCAL RESIDENT, RINI YULIANTI, SAYING: "I feel these reactions from various fractions of Indonesia that are boycotting Israel are deeply regrettable. I don't think sports should be influenced by politics." (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) 26-YEAR-OLD LOCAL RESIDENT, ARDAN, SAYING: "I think FIFA's decision is unfair because Indonesia has been chosen as host, and now we're one-sidedly removed due to these issues regarding Israel, I just don't think it's fair." (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) 69-YEAR-OLD LOCAL RESIDENT, ONESDOM, SAYING: "Why do we have to put religion and politics together with sports? If FIFA stops this, then they have the right to stop any person, any nation or country from playing football." EXTERIOR OF GELORA BUNG KARNO SPORTS STADIUM PEOPLE STANDING INSIDE STADIUM GROUNDS
- Embargoed: 13th April 2023 05:30
- Keywords: Bali FIFA Indonesia Israel Under-20 World Cup football host rejection soccer
- Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- City: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001138830032023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Jakarta residents on Thursday (March 30) lamented FIFA's decision to strip Indonesia of the right to stage this year's Under-20 soccer World Cup tournament, saying the action was "regrettable" and should not have been influenced by politics.
FIFA's decision to stop Indonesia holding the May 20–June 11 event was taken after the country's football federation (PSSI) said the governor of the largely Hindu island of Bali had refused to host Israel's team.
"I feel these reactions from various fractions of Indonesia that are boycotting Israel are deeply regrettable. I don't think sports should be influenced by politics," 40-year-old local resident Rini Yulianti told Reuters. Another resident said it was unfair that the decision was made "one-sidedly" by FIFA.
The loss of hosting rights will be a big setback in Indonesia, where football has a massive following, despite the lack of international success since qualifying for the 1938 World Cup as the Dutch East Indies.
(Production: Johan Purnomo, Heru Asprihanto) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None