FA of Malaysia bow to pressure

2007-05-07

KUALA LUMPUR: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have caved in to pressure from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and ruled Manchester United out of playing in the country in July, throwing their Asian tour into chaos.

The decision yesterday came as FIFA president Sepp Blatter called for the newly-crowned Premier League champions to show some respect, adding that he was liaising with the Football Association to get United to change their plans.

“You are welcome but please come at a time that is acceptable to the whole football family,” Blatter said on the sidelines of the AFC Congress here.

“As FIFA president I appeal for your solidarity. If a big club is touring, we appeal for a minimum of respect when they plan to travel to the region when the Asian Cup is being played.”
FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah joined AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam in calling for United’s entire pre-season commercial tour to be called off.
United are also due to play in Macau, Japan and South Korea.

“If they want to come (to Malaysia) during that time they can’t,” Tengku Abdullah said.

“The sanction has not been given by the AFC and we have to follow it. Manchester United cannot come to Malaysia during the Asian Cup. They will have to rearrange their schedule.”
Hammam on Monday slammed United as “disrespectful” for scheduling a tour during the Asian Cup Finals being held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam from July 7-29.

He suggested FAM could face disciplinary action if they allowed United to play in Kuala Lumpur on July 27, saying each association hosting matches had signed guarantees not to hold any other games when the Cup was on.

His fear is that a tour by such a big club will divert attention from the Asian Cup in a part of the world where English Premier League is hugely popular.

“It is bad news for the fans but it is the feeling of the family of Asia,” said Tengku Abdullah.

“By the look of it the Asian Cup will have to take precedence. We all have to support Mr Hammam’s call for Manchester United not to come to Asia at all during the Asian Cup. The feeling is that they have to reschedule.”

It was clearly a decision taken reluctantly with the FAM general secretary Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad separately spelling out what he thought.

“As a Malaysian I’m surprised. It is out of tune for people to dictate to us how we celebrate our 50 years of independence,” he said, referring to the United game, which is also part of the “Visit Malaysia 2007” campaign.

Alex Ferguson’s side enjoy huge support in Malaysia and the region and the club see Asia as a major market for their merchandise.

Said Blatter: “I think this is a question of solidarity and one of respect. Shall football only be about business?”

And Hammam, when asked what message he had for United fans disappointed by any cancellation or rescheduling, said: “I would say Asia for Asians.”

United plan to kick off their tour against J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds on July 17 in Saitama before travelling to Seoul to play FC Seoul on July 20. The team are then due to head to Macau for a match against Shenzhen on July 23 before ending the tour in KL on July 27 against a Malaysian XI.

Malaysia were part of the schedule primarily because low-cost carrier AirAsia are one of United’s key sponsors. – AFP, Reuters

BULL Shit Mr. Hamman, even if the Man Utd is not in town, I will still not going to catch your ASIAN CUP for once in my lifetime, you know why... because your football sucks and to the respect of all foot ball fans......I am only here cursing Mr. Hamman disccusion over banning Sir Alex to come over with his team because he is worrying for poor ticket sales. (He some more dare to comment that football shouldnt be all about money) Mr. Hamman, you should go back to your house and sit on the toilet bowl and keep pang sai la ......


sShit....but still come in here la....Datco.com.my....