to come or not to come

SO will the Red Devils and Le Blues be coming to our shores once again? This seems the question as AFC and FIFA have made it clear for the money making European based clubs to forget about their Asian tour during the Asian Cup period.

Nevertheless, local dailies have splashed news, one including of Khairy Jamaluddin's comments, on why the Red Devils ought to be hosted.

The outburst seem to have attracted Sports minister Azalina Othman Said to speak her mind.

The sad part is there are suckers out there willing to pay hundreds if not thousands to witness the Malaysian side being humbled by a bunch of Mat Salleh clowns. Pretty interesting as we celebrate 50 years of independence.

Obtained the press release just seconds ago from the National Sports Council. As below;

10th MAY 2007

PRESS RELEASE
------------------------

PRESS STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS, YB DATUK SERI AZALINA DATUK OTHMAN SAID, ON MANCHESTER UNITED'S MATCH IN MALAYSIA.


It is with a heavy heart that I have noted that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), had decided at their recent Congress, not to sanction the friendly match between the Malaysian National Team and Manchester United on July 27 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

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

Malaysia have always had close rapport with AFC and FIFA and always supported and respected them. The fact that the AFC headquarters sits in Malaysia, further underlines Malaysia's support towards AFC, especially Sultan Ahmad Shah who was instrumental and responsible of it being coming a reality.

We are indeed grateful that the FIFA president Datuk Joseph S Blatter and Mohamed, for having given a positive undertaking on sanctioning the Champions Youth Cup (CYC).

We hope the same compassionate hearing could be give for the Manchester United's visit.

This is Malaysia's 50 years of independence and also the Visit Malaysia 2007 Year and Manchester United's and the CYC tournament are part of the celebrations. It would indeed be a dampener, if these celebrations have to be cancelled, especially when a lot of money has been spent by the Ministry of Tourism in promoting the events.

Malaysians are No 1 soccer fans and personally I do not believe that the Manchester United's one match here is going to jeopardise the fan turnout for the Asian Cup Finals. Let me assure AFC, that FA of Malaysia and the Malaysian government will do everything possible to promote the Asian Cup Finals and bring in the crowd to the Stadium.

I am saddened by the turn of events, but I sincerely hope that AFC and FIFA, will review their current stand in the interest of soccer in Malaysia and the fact that it is our 50 years of celebration of independence and Visit Malaysia Year.

Ends

Pic: National player Hairuddin Omar trying to stop Manchester United's Ryan Giggs during 2001/2002 pre-season at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. Man U won 6-0. -pic courtesy of http://manunited.airmode.de

-The Man Who Sold The World-