Argentina to replace Indonesia as Under-20 World Cup hosts, says Fifa
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Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia (left) and Economy Minister Sergio Massa after signing the permits to host the U-20 World Cup in Buenos Aires.
AFP
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BUENOS AIRES – Argentina will host the Under-20 World Cup from May 20-June 11, football’s world governing body Fifa announced on Monday, after taking the tournament from Indonesia
Having been awarded hosting rights, Argentina will also participate in Indonesia’s place. The South Americans had failed to qualify on merit.
“Fifa is delighted to announce that this year’s edition of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, as the home of the world champions opens its doors to tomorrow’s superstars...” Fifa president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
“I would like to thank the AFA (Argentine Football Association), its president Claudio Tapia, as well as the governmental authorities for their commitment to hosting this magnificent event at such short notice.
“Having this year’s edition taking place in a country that lives and breathes football will be a tremendous inspiration for the stars of tomorrow.”
Fifa withdrew hosting rights from Indonesia in March after protests against Israel’s participation in the tournament.
Indonesia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations and support for the Palestinian cause in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation runs high.
Wayan Koster, the governor of Bali, had refused to host the Israelis, while protesters marched in the capital Jakarta waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags, demanding that Israel should not be allowed to participate.
Fifa barred Indonesia from hosting the Under-20 World Cup as a result, which caused anger and dismay among fans and players in the football-mad country. Last week, Fifa also froze the development fund allocated for Indonesia’s football association.
The body added it “provisionally recommended a restriction on” the use of Fifa Forward funds for the South-east Asian country and would reconsider lifting the sanction only after reviewing Indonesia’s plan to improve on Indonesian football.
PSSI (Football Association of Indonesia) chief Erick Thohir said in a statement that the “administrative sanction” would impact PSSI’s “operational needs” but did not give further details, reiterating President Joko Widodo’s instruction for him to transform the sport, which includes renovating more than 20 stadiums.
“Indonesia could avoid the severe penalty of being exiled from world soccer,” he said. “This is more like a yellow card, not a red card.”
Argentina put itself forward as an alternative host after all the controversy, and Fifa made its decision after conducting an on-site inspection of facilities last week.
The draw for the tournament will take place on Friday in Zurich.
Hours before Monday’s Fifa announcement, the Argentinian government expressed its full backing for the hosting bid by the AFA.
This despite the country facing deep economic woes, with tens of billions in International Monetary Fund debt and year-on-year inflation exceeding 100 per cent.
World champions Argentina have won the most Under-20 World Cups – six in total. Current captain Lionel Messi was the star player in the 2005 team when they won their fifth title.
The Argentinians are also seeking to jointly host the World Cup Finals in 2030 with Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay. AFP, REUTERS
