Minister backs United tour

Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said has urged the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to reconsider their opposition to Manchester United’s planned visit to Malaysia.

The Barclays Premiership champions and are scheduled to play a Malaysian Select XI on July 27 in Kuala Lumpur as part of a 10-day tour of Asia, but the game clashes with the Asian Cup, which will be co-hosted by Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand until July 29.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has backed AFC president Mohamed Hammam’s call for the game to be rescheduled after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) signed an agreement with the AFC which states no other event would be promoted during the Asian Cup and three days after.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have noted that the AFC had decided at its recent congress not to sanction the friendly match between a Malaysian Selection and Manchester United on July 27 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil,” Azalina told The New Straits Times.

“I understand and fully respect the decision and reasons behind AFC’s stand, but I would have expected a little more compassion, especially from AFC president Mohamed Hammam, who is close a friend of FA of Malaysia president Sultan Ahmad Shah and Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad.

“Malaysians are passionate football fans and I do not believe that United’s one match here is going to jeopardise the turnout for the Asian Cup Finals.”

United are also scheduled to play J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds on July 17, FC Seoul on July 20 and Shenzhen FC on July 23.