FIFA will not ban Indonesia

the president of Indonesia He said the country would not face sanctions from soccer’s world governing body after the firing of tear gas inside a half-enclosed stadium caused a stampede at the exits, killing 131 people, including 17 children.

Joko Widodo said the president of FIFA, Giani Infantino, wrote to him in a letter discussing the possible collaboration between Indonesia and FIFA, assuring him that the country will continue to host the U-20 World Cup next year with 24 countries from on five continents. “According to the letter, thank God, Indonesian football is not sanctioned by FIFA,” Widodo said in a video posted on the presidential YouTube channel on Friday night.

In its security protocols, FIFA discourages the use of tear gas in or around stadiums and recommends that exit gates be unlocked at all times during matches. While those rules are considered safety standards, they do not apply to domestic leagues and FIFA has no authority over how local governments and police control crowds and which contributed to the disaster that followed. in the league match between host Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya on October 1.

The national police chief said Thursday that the stadium does not have a valid operating certificate and that criminal charges will be filed against six people, including three police officers. Indonesia’s national football association, known locally as PSSI, has long struggled to regulate the game at a national level. However, the fatal crush is a tragic reminder that Indonesia is one of the most dangerous countries in which to attend a match. Since last week, the national league has been suspended.

Widodo ordered the sports minister, the national police chief and the football federation to conduct a full investigation into the deadly crush at the stadium. He said on Friday that the Indonesian government had agreed to take collaborative measures with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to improve stadium security to prevent another tragedy. “FIFA, together with the government, will build a transformation team for Indonesian football,” Widodo said.

He added that Infantino will also visit all Indonesian football stadiums in the near future, develop security procedures and protocols for the police based on international standards, get feedback from Indonesian football clubs and fans, i- regulate the season schedule under risk-based considerations and engage with experts. from different fields for advice.