The FIFA decision on Wednesday to strip Indonesia of the right to stage this year's Under-20 soccer World Cup reminds us of a similar incident that happened 61 years ago and India, allegedly though, had a role to play in it. In the current scenario, the decision to stop Indonesia from hosting the May 20-June 11 event was taken after the country's football federation (PSSI) said it had cancelled the draw because the governor of the largely Hindu island of Bali refused to host Israel’s team. “FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023,” a FIFA statement said.

Back in 1962, when Indonesia hosted the Asian Games in Jakarta, they refused to let in Israel, who was a member and part of the continental Games those days. The organisers of the Asian Games in Indonesia didn’t issue the ID cards, which also doubled as visas, to Israel athletes leaving them with no other option but to stay away from the Games. India’s GD Sondhi, who was an International Committee member and a senior official of the Asian Games committee, protested against this discrimination thus inviting the wrath of the Indonesian government.

Throughout the Jakarta Asian Games (August 24 to September 4, 1962), anti-India protests were organised in the streets of Indonesia, the Indian embassy was attacked and Indian athletes were booed and ridiculed by the spectators. The Jakarta police and other security agencies remained mute spectators. The Indian athletes, however, fought gallantly and returned home with 33 medals, including 10 golds. The biggest achievement was winning the football gold medal as India, led by Chuni Goswami braved a hostile crowd to beat South Korea 2-1 in the final.            

This time, protesters marched in the capital Jakarta this month waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags and demanding that Israel was not allowed to participate. FIFA, obviously, wasn’t impressed and came down heavily on Indonesia.