Indonesian football fans had endured years of mismanagement, incompetence and corruption even before last October’s Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy that cost 135 lives. It was a shocking disaster but, for those in what is arguably Asia’s most passionate football nation, not that surprising. There was one bright spot on the horizon and a chance for a new start for the game. The FIFA Under-20 World Cup in May was to be by far the biggest sporting tournament to be held in the world’s fourth-most populous country. It was not just seen as a turning point but a chance to show an international audience a colourful, vibrant and diverse culture on and off the pitch.
And then, just like that, it was gone. All because of a row that started in Bali, one of three islands – along with Java and Sumatra – due to host to the 24 teams and the location of
