FIFA: hosting of the U20 World Cup withdrawn from Indonesia where Israel's participation is opposed

"FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023," announced the body on 29/03/2023. This decision, taken "due to the current circumstances", follows a meeting between Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, and Erick Thohir, president of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI).

The International Federation is thus sanctioning a country in which the hosting of Israel's U20 team is the subject of heated debate due to the policy of Benyamin Netanyahu's government towards Palestine. Indonesia has a population of 270 million, the majority of whom are Muslim. Several demonstrations in support of Palestine and in opposition to Israel's participation in the U20 World Cup have taken place in Jakarta in recent days. Indonesian politicians have also spoken out publicly in this regard.

"A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament (from 20/05 to 11/06/2023) currently remaining unchanged," added FIFA. Argentina, Peru and Qatar are said to be among the candidates.

• "In December 2020, as a…