Jakarta, IO – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo finally issued an official statement regarding the polemic of Israeli national football team competing in the U20 World Cup in Indonesia. He said he agreed with the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia that FIFA rules must be adhered to by its members.
This was revealed by Jokowi after several quarters refused to let Israeli team play in Indonesia. “With regard to (Israel participating in) the U-20 World Cup, don’t mix up sports with politics,” he firmly said via the Presidential Secretariat‘s YouTube channel, Wednesday (29/3).
He said FIFA has been aware of the opposition and the government and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) will continue to seek out the best solution. To accelerate the process, Jokowi has sent PSSI chairman Erick Thohir to meet with FIFA team in Zurich, Switzerland.
Jokowi also emphasized that Israel’s participation in the tournament will not diminish Indonesia’s clear, consistent and firm support for Palestinian independence.
“This is the principle of our country Indonesia, to always be consistent and firm in fighting for and supporting the independence of the Palestinian nation through the two-state solution, the state of Israel and Palestine,” said Jokowi. (un)