The competition is supposed to start on May 20 and end on June 11. But the future of the Under-20 World Cup is uncertain. The draw, scheduled for next Friday, has been postponed by FIFA, as announced by theAssociated Press. The American press agency specifies the reasons for this setback: the organizing country, Indonesia, refuses the participation of the Israeli selection during the tournament.
Qualified for the first time in their history at a U20 World Cup, the Israelis were supposed to play their matches in Bali. But the island’s governor, Wayan Koster, has asked the central government not to host their meetings. In Bali, the population is mainly made up of Hindus.
A stalled situation
Indonesia does not recognize Israel as a state, in particular because of the conflict which opposes it to Palestine. According to Sydney Morning Herald, a demonstration took place in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, in favor of the exclusion of the Israeli selection from the U20 World Cup. The Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali, tried to find a compromise, without succeeding. The draw was therefore cancelled.
FIFA has still not reacted to the situation. But the Indonesian Federation could be sanctioned if it maintained its position and refused Israel’s participation in the tournament. The Under-20 World Cup could even be organized in another country if no solution was found.