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Indonesia denies Team Israel travel visas, prompting criticism by International Olympic Committee

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. riticism-by-international-olympic-committee.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, October 25th 2025 at 23:15 GMT by Fox News

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The denied visas and the intended fixture

The Israeli delegation, comprising a national squad and supporting staff, had requested visas in early July to arrive in Indonesia by the end of the month. The match was scheduled to take place on July 27 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, part of a preparation schedule for Indonesia’s upcoming qualifiers for the 2024 AFC Nations Cup. According to the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), the friendly was intended as a high‑profile test for the home team and would attract a significant crowd.

When the Israeli officials submitted their visa applications to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the request was turned down. The ministry’s spokesperson stated that the visas were denied on “political grounds” and that the country does not recognize Israel as a sovereign state. The spokesperson also clarified that the decision was in line with a broader policy that precludes Israeli teams from competing in Indonesian‑hosted sporting events.

Reactions from football bodies

The decision has prompted criticism from several key football bodies. FIFA’s general secretary, Gianni Infantino, released a statement noting that the refusal “stands in conflict with the principles of equality and fairness that the sport seeks to uphold.” Infantino urged the Indonesian authorities to review the decision and to allow the Israeli team to compete, noting that the AFC has repeatedly stressed the importance of keeping politics out of sport.

In the same vein, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issued a statement saying that while it respected Indonesia’s right to set its own visa policies, it also emphasized that the AFC’s commitment to inclusive competition requires member associations to welcome all invited teams. The AFC president, Koji Sato, pointed out that similar bans have led to sanctions against other member states in the past, and that Indonesia’s current stance could jeopardize its standing within the confederation.

The Israeli Football Association (IFA), which had been coordinating with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed disappointment at the denial. An IFA spokesperson said, “We are disappointed that the invitation was not honored. We hoped this friendly would have been an opportunity to strengthen our relations with Southeast Asian football.” The IFA added that it would explore alternative arrangements, potentially arranging the match in a neutral venue.

Context and precedent

Indonesia’s policy towards Israeli sports teams is not new. Since the early 2000s, the country has repeatedly denied visas to Israeli athletes and has banned Israeli teams from participating in tournaments hosted in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities. In 2005, a bid by the Indonesian Football Association to stage an Asian Cup match against Israel was rejected by the AFC because of political concerns. More recently, in 2019, the Indonesian Olympic Committee barred an Israeli tennis player from competing at a national tournament.

In 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a brief statement saying that it would monitor the situation but that it had no jurisdiction over individual national Olympic committees. This was interpreted as a subtle nod to Indonesia’s sovereignty over visa matters, yet also a reminder that the IOC values inclusivity.

Implications for Indonesian sports

The visa denial has broader implications for Indonesia’s image as a host nation for international sporting events. In 2023, Indonesia successfully won the bid to host the 2024 AFC Asian Cup, an event that would involve teams from all over the continent. The AFC’s regulations on political interference are particularly stringent, and repeated refusals to allow Israeli teams could attract punitive measures, such as fines or restrictions on future hosting rights.

Additionally, the move may affect Indonesia’s relations with other Muslim-majority countries that also have complicated stances towards Israel. While several nations in the region have maintained a policy of non-recognition, Indonesia’s refusal could set a precedent that other countries might follow, thereby limiting the potential for inclusive competition in Southeast Asia.

Moving forward

While the Israeli delegation has already begun to seek alternative venues, the PSSI has confirmed that it remains open to dialogue with the AFC and FIFA about future events. Indonesian officials, however, have reiterated that the country’s policy is rooted in political principles that do not allow Israeli participation in sports hosted within its borders.

The incident underscores the tension between the desire for sports as a neutral ground and the realities of geopolitical disputes. As Indonesia continues to assert its position, it faces the challenge of balancing domestic political considerations with the expectations of the global football community. Whether this episode will prompt a shift in policy or simply reinforce existing practices remains to be seen.