Erick Thohir Surprised, FIFA Has the Potential to Abort the U-20 World Cup Stadium

CNN Indonesia

Monday, 06 Mar 2023 13:42 WIB

Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —

Chairman of PSSI Erick Thohir said FIFA has the potential to cross out the stadium that is used as an arena 2023 U-20 World Cup. He conveyed this after holding a meeting with FIFA representatives at the GBK Arena, Jakarta, Monday (6/3).

“What I want to convey from the results of the discussion, out of the six playing fields in each city, there are four fields that will be re-audited on March 21-27 by FIFA,” said Erick who is also the Chair of the LOC or local committee for the U-2020 World Cup. 202023.

“And what surprised me, there was a note from FIFA. FIFA has the right to drop six match field stadiums if they are not ready, to four fields. The training field can also be reduced. There is no replacement option, only the option of removing it from six down to four ,” Erick added.

With 15 days remaining before the FIFA audit, Erick stated that he would move quickly to meet FIFA’s requirements. However, he was reluctant to explain in more detail which stadiums were deemed not to have met the criteria.

“I decided on Saturday, Sunday and Monday I will visit all the stadiums. I will also ask our representatives LOC, FIFA, and representatives of the central and regional governments to go down together,” said Erick.

“Don’t let March 21, there are only 15 days left, man, there are parties who blame ‘This PSSI is not good’. I want to re-knit, there is still time, this is a commitment from the central and regional governments, including us PSSI,” continued Erick.

Erick ensured that his party would not look for other venue options if FIFA eliminated the stadiums for the 2023 U-20 World Cup venues. He emphasized that PSSI’s priority was to make six stadiums suitable for holding the world-level junior tournament.

“[Prioritas] the six. So it is important for us to cooperate with the local government. We will phone the governor and regional leaders before I visit on Saturday, Sunday and Monday,” he said.

The six stadiums that will be used to host the World Cup are Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Jakarta), Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium (Palembang), Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung), Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya), Manahan Stadium (Solo), and Captain I Wayan Dipta (Bali).

(ikw/har)