No devils?

IT was only natural to see this coming but unless the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) come to an agreement, English Premier League Champions Manchester United will NOT be coming here.

United, represented by its chief executive David Gill (pic) and EPL chairman Dave Richards met with FAM’s deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahamad revealed this to reporters separately. Both the Englishmen also had a talk with AFC president Mohamed Hamman at Bukit Jalil yesterday with no positive outcome. This was also reported in United's official site.

However, what is baffling is to the earlier response given by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi about the Man U tour. Abdullah was quoted saying he would like to see the English club side grace the Bukit Jalil field as part of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary.

Did Abdullah say this because of his ‘fanatic’ Red Devil son-in-law Khairy Jamaludin or due to the pressure by certain quarters? Abdullah’s advisors could have very well informed him about the existing contract between FAM and AFC with regards to the Asian Cup.

Then you have the ill-informed Youth and Sports Ministry who does little to aid the situation, backed with the Tourism Ministry who are only interested in getting their end of the deal. Sadly, many parties would prefer having Man U here despite knowing the fact FAM (and national football generally) will suffer the consequences.

Oh well, like my earlier posting, no one gives a damn about not having a ‘legal Malaysian league’ for the coming season as long as they can get to see some money making Mat Salleh club make a fool of their fellow Malaysians.

While everyone tries to get their way, FAM suffers. Lesson to be learnt, even the Malaysian Prime Minister cannot dictate who comes and goes, it’s about adhering principles, something which he and his advisors have got to learn.

Meanwhile, talks of Pete Sampras and Roger Federer coming to town have been answered as they will partake in the Merdeka Tennis Challenge at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam this Nov 22. Surprisingly the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) seems to be in the dark over the event. Perhaps another issue in the making..hmm.

p/s: What about ticking off a senior minister (Works Minister Samy Vellu) in public and a flooded cafeteria at the Jalan Duta courts? Another ‘boo-hoo’ for Abdullah and his advisors.

Pic: Gill (R) being greeted by AFC's general secretary Paul Money Samuel at the AFC headquarters in Bukit Jalil yesterday. -courtesy of REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad.

-The Man Who Sold The World-