Ganjar Disappointed that FIFA Canceled Indonesia to Host the U-20 World Cup, Here's the Reason
The Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, spoke about the decision by the International Football Federation (FIFA) to officially cancel Indonesia's status as host for the 2023 U20 World Cup.
Ganjar said he was disappointed with FIFA's decision because preparations for the U-20 World Cup had been under way for a long time.
"Yo, I'm disappointed. Our people have prepared from the start. There are only a few notes left that we can continue," said Ganjar in a disappointed tone.
This was conveyed by Ganjar after attending the RB Thematic Socialization and Changes to the 2020-2024 Bureaucratic Reform Road Map in Central Java with Mrnpan-RB and the ranks of mayors at the Gradhika Bhakti Praja Building, Thursday (30/3/2023).
Ganjar said that he had communicated from the start before giving a statement to all ministries including PSSI, regarding the main opportunity for Indonesia to co-host the U-20 Cup.
"So that the constitutional relations between the nation and the state are all upright. This is one word that I have to say. Wait for the decision at one more stage, which, if Mas Gibran said there is a plan b and plan c, hopefully in November there will be a good decision for all of us," he explained he.
Regarding the reactions of netizens who expressed disappointment on their social media accounts, Ganjar considered this to be normal.
Previously, Ganjar participated in pushing for a breakthrough in refusing Israel not to play in Indonesia in the U-20 World Cup.
However, Ganjar asked netizens not to attack his wife and children in cyberspace.
"Always, it's a decision risk. If I may, attack Ganjar, don't attack my wife, don't attack my child," he said.
Previously it was reported, FIFA officially canceled Indonesia's status as the host of the 2023 U20 World Cup.
FIFA announced Indonesia's cancellation as host for the 2023 U20 World Cup through their official website on Wednesday (29/3/2023) evening.
FIFA's statement came just moments after a meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir in Doha, Qatar.
"Following today's meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir, FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia from hosting the 2023 U20 World Cup," FIFA said in a statement.
Previously, Ganjar participated in pushing for a breakthrough in refusing Israel not to play in Indonesia in the U-20 World Cup.
According to Ganjar, this attitude is a manifestation of a shared commitment to efforts for Palestinian independence according to the mandate of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno.
As a PDI Perjuangan cadre, Ganjar adhered to Bung Karno's mandate to continue to support Palestinian independence.
As governor, Ganjar also observed the increasing acts of violence in Palestine.
Then, the emergence of political groups within the Israeli government who refused to recognize the existence of an independent Palestinian nation and state.
"Therefore, it is important for us to continue to voice our support for the struggle for an independent Palestine," continued Ganjar.
Therefore, Ganjar supports PDI-P's position in rejecting the presence of the Israeli national team in the U-20 World Cup event in Indonesia.