JABAR EKSPRES – PSSI Leader Erick Thohir failed to appeal FIFA President Gianni Infantino to keep Indonesia as the host for U-20 World Cup 2023.
“I’ve already tried my best. After conveying a message from President Jokowi and a long talk with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, we should accept FIFA’s decision to cancel the event that we waited for,” he said after hold a meeting with Gianni in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday (29/3).
Erick added that the decision that are the authority of FIFA as the highest institution of world football with 211 members from all across the world cannot be denied.
“Indonesia as one of the members of FIFA, so for international football affairs, we have to follow the rules that have been applied. Even though I have said everything to Gianni, what has been entrusted by the President, football lovers, members of the U-20 national team, and loyal football supporters, but because we are a member and FIFA has evaluated that the current situation cannot be proceeded, then we have to follow through,” he continued.
Nevertheless, with his strength, Erick tries to gain lesson from this national football storm.
“We have to be strong. I am asking for all football lovers to keep your head up from FIFA’s heavy decision. Because of that, this is the time that we need to prove to FIFA to work harder to make a change in football, towards cleaner and achieve excellence in football,” he said.
