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Indonesian authorities look set to allow three concerts to be held at the national football stadium despite being warned against the plans by FIFA ahead of the forthcoming FIFA U20 World Cup.
GBK Stadium in Jakarta is to play host to concerts featuring BLACKPINK and Raisa in the coming weeks, with the U20 World Cup – Indonesia’s first-ever FIFA tournament – to begin on May 20. FIFA had ordered that tournament venues should be “sterile” for six months before they host games, with concerns in particular over the state of the playing surface in the event of tens of thousands of concert-goers standing on it.
FIFA warned local organisers over their responsibilities last December, but CNN Indonesia there are no plans to postpone the concerts. Raisa is scheduled to play the 77,000-capacity venue later this month, with BLACKPINK set for two dates in March.
Maaike Ira Puspita, the U-20 World Cup Project Committee lead and deputy General Secretary of the FA of Indonesia, said: “We are in constant communication with FIFA. We have reported any activities. For these concerts, we have communicated them from the beginning of the year.
“What is prioritised is the quality of the grass. This is what we continue to coordinate.”
Last December, FIFA Men’s Tournament Manager Christian Schmolzer sent a letter to FA of Indonesia secretary general Yunus Nusi that warned: “Holding two concerts with several days of preparation and demolition of activities on the playing field, will certainly greatly hinder us from implementing the field management program as planned.”
In November 2022, Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sport Zainudin Amali said the concerts were not allowed under FIFA rules that prohibit any events being held at the host stadiums for six months, including other football matches.
Brazil, England and France are among the 24 countries that will participate in the U20 World Cup.
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