FIFA World Cup: Indonesian President Says No FIFA Sanctions Post Disaster

Indonesia will not encounter any sanctions from football’s world governing body FIFA after the police brutality. The usage of tear gas inside a packed football stadium leading to a stampede and the unfortunate killing of 131 people, including 17 children provoked a lot of public backlashes. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has stated that FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrote him a letter about potential collaborations and the country's approval to remain the host of next year’s Under-20 World Cup with over 24 countries coming from five continents.

“Based on the letter, thank God, Indonesian football is not sanctioned by FIFA,” Widodo officially commented online. Widodo had visited the Kanjuruhan football stadium where he pointed out that the locked gates majorly contributed to the deaths of 131 people. After home side Arema’s defeat, fans acted out on the pitch and police intervened with tear gas to curb the “riots”.