The draw for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup will not take place this Friday, March 31, as originally planned.
The organizing country, Indonesia, does not accept the participation of Israel, which qualified last July after reaching the final of Euro U19 (defeat against England, 1-3).
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The Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) informed about the cancellation of the draw.
The 24-team World Cup, scheduled for May 20-June 11, is set to be Israel's first in this age category.
France is also qualified.
Protests against Israel in Jakarta
The
Jakarta Post
revealed earlier in March that Bali Governor Wayan Koster wrote to the Minister of Youth and Sports.
He urged him to "
adopt a policy prohibiting the Israeli team from coming to play in Bali
" because of its conflict with Palestine.
Indonesia has nearly 270 million inhabitants, the majority of whom are Muslims.
The letter was also sent to the PSSI, which confirmed Wayan Koster's wishes.
Last week, protests took place in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
Flags of Indonesia and Palestine were waved there.
The demonstrators opposed Israel's participation in the World Cup.
The Minister of Youth and Sports assured that there was no reason to question the government's commitment to welcoming Israel.
The resulting imbroglio led to the suspension of the draw.
No new date has been announced.
Fifa, organizer of the World Cup, did not communicate.