Indonesian U23 National Team Heading 2024 Paris Olympics?
Indonesian U23 National Team Heading for the 2024 Paris Olympics? This is an answer beyond the IOC's expectations regarding Israel's status
- Indonesian U23 National Team headed for the 2024 Paris Olympics? This is an answer that was beyond the IOC's expectations regarding Israel's status in this prestigious sporting event throughout the world.
Reported by TribunWow.com, news recently emerged regarding the opportunity for the Indonesian U23 National Team to replace Israel to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The basis for wild rumors about the Indonesian U23 National Team's chance of replacing Israel at the 2024 Paris Olympics was raised after the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) submitted a proposal or proposed suspension to Israel at the FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday (17/5/2024).
In his statement, PFA President, Jibril Rajoub satirized FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, who he considered to have turned a blind eye to Israel's war crimes in Gaza, Palestine.
In fact, in his statement, he compared the punishment that FIFA imposed on Russia when it attacked Ukraine with what Israel is currently receiving. At that time, as of February 28 2022, all clubs and the Russian national team were prohibited from appearing in all FIFA and UEFA tournaments or competitions.
"FIFA cannot remain indifferent to these violations or the ongoing genocide in Palestine," stressed Rajoub, quoted by TribunWow.com from Bolasport.com. "I ask you to stand on the right side of history... If not now, when?"
"How much more will the Palestinian football family have to suffer?" Rajoub asked.
Hearing Rajoub's statement, Jordan's representative at the Bangkok FIFA Congress immediately stood up and called for an immediate vote on this issue.
Not only Jordan, several other countries such as Algeria, Iraq, Syria and Yemen also support the Palestinian proposal. Indonesia, which was also present at the congress forum, was represented by the General Chair of PSSI, Erick Thohir. In its policy, PSSI has openly taken a stance to support the suspension imposed on Israel.
The celebration action of the Indonesian U-23 National Team players in the match against Iraq in the match for third place in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup, Thursday, May 2 2024. (Doc. PSSI)
This was also strengthened by the support of the Asian football federation, AFC, which has voiced a similar opinion. Where, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa openly stated his support for imposing sanctions on Israel for the genocide they committed in Palestine.
"The AFC is only as strong as its members, when one suffers, all the other members are affected," Sheikh Salman told congress delegates, as quoted by Reuters.
"The AFC stands together with the Palestine Football Association, we join them in seeking an effective football-related solution to the complaints raised by the PFA in their proposal."
"It is our duty to support the Palestinian Football Association to reach a quick and effective resolution in accordance with the rules, regulations and statutes of the AFC and FIFA," stressed Salman.
Responding to calls and pressure from the AFC and representatives of several other countries, President of the Israeli Football Federation (IFA) Shino Moshe Zuares also voiced his views on the proposal submitted by Palestine.
According to him, Palestine's attitude in front of FIFA is only a political effort that is detrimental to his party (Israel-ed).
Moha Zuares emphasized that his country did not violate the regulations as accused by Palestine because what is currently happening has nothing to do with football.
"Once again, we face a cynical political and hostile attempt by the PFA to harm Israel," Zuares said. "The IFA has never violated the rules set by FIFA or UEFA and will never do anything similar in the future," he added. At the same time as Zuares spoke, the delegation of representatives from Iran and Iraq decided to (walk-out) from the congress room.
Israel National Team players at the U-19 European Cup, Slovakia. (Instagram/israel_football_association)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino responded to pressure from Palestine and the AFC regarding the vote to suspend Israel.
He said there was a need for a legal assessment of the accusations leveled against Israel which would be initiated by the FIFA Council at its session at the end of July.
FIFA will ask for many opinions from several parties, including the world sports organization the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Unfortunately, the IOC has ruled out any proposed sanctions aimed at Israel ahead of or during the 2024 Olympics in Paris this summer.
"It is impossible to imagine sanctions (against Israel) at this time," said Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, chairman of the IOC's coordinating committee for the 2024 Paris Olympics in March.
IOC Vice President, John Coates explained that what happened in Gaza does not require the same sanctions against Israel as those given to Russia when it invaded Ukraine.
Because the two incidents have different conflict bases. According to him, many Russian athletes will compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics under a neutral flag. Judging from the IOC's statement, it is impossible for the Indonesian U23 National Team to replace Israel at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The failure of the Indonesian U23 National Team in the play-off round against Guinea on May 9 was the reason. Bearing in mind, the Indonesian U23 National Team is competing with Guinea as the fourth place in the Asian and African federation tournament.
Meanwhile, Israel qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics after finishing third in the 2023 European U21 Cup. Moreover, in the European zone, there are no matches for third place or play offs. At that time, Israel managed to win the third place label after defeating England in the semi-finals with a score of 0-3, while Ukraine was defeated by Spain 1-5.
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