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Indonesia government officials hope that the lifting of sanctions on the country's national football association (PSSI) will open up the possibility of FIFA overturning a global ban later this week. Indonesian teams have been barred from international competition since May 2015 when FIFA suspended Southeast Asia's largest nation for government interference. But the latest development, which came on Wednesday, opens up the possibility that the Indonesians could earn reinstatement at Friday's 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico. "Last night, after I signed the letter to lift the sanctions, we sent a letter to FIFA straight away so they could take note," said Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi told AFP. The move comes a day before FIFA's Congress in Mexico City, where Indonesia will now hope to be invited back into the world football community. Last month, Indonesian officials met new FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Switzerland to discuss the issues behind the nation's ban. "The government believes the PSSI will coordinate with the government, the clubs and FIFA to implement a total reform in football," Mr. Nahrawi added. In the absence of the banned Indonesia Super League (ISL), an unofficial club competition began last month, but the sports ministry insisted that this was only an interim measure. Indonesia has also announced its intention to bid for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. The Indonesia U23 side were allowed to compete in last June's Southeast Asian Games football competition, but banned from the subsequent 2018 AFC World Cup qualifiers.
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