SOCCER - They're coming! Red Devils get the green light

By : Chris Raj

THE Red Devils will be invited to Malaysia to enthrall their fans after all.

That’s the scenario as the FA of Malaysia (FAM) seeks a compromise with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the controversial Manchester United tour, failing which the national association will abide by the wishes of the government to let Manchester United play against a Malaysian selection on July 27 at the National Stadium.

That was the message yesterday from FAM deputy president, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (right).

Tengku Abdullah, who is also an AFC vice president, said: "I would like to respect the wishes of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Malaysian Government that the Manchester United tour will go on in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Merdeka.

"I was merely echoing the stand taken by the AFC president, Mohammad Hammam and Fifa president Joseph Sepp Blatter, during the AFC congress when they requested United to come after the Asian Cup which will end on July 29."
The FAM is in a dilemma as it has signed an agreement with AFC that during the Asian Cup from July 7-29, it will not promote or stage other events.

And this legality is what worries Tengku Abdullah.

"We have a binding contract. We went through it with our lawyers and we know what is stipulated in the contract, but I still want to use our office and try to solve this problem amicably. Our priority is still the Asian Cup and the FAM is committed to it."

Tengku Abdullah made it clear that his loyalty is with the Government and he wants the AFC to understand that the United match is being promoted by the Ministry of Tourism, and not FAM.

"My loyalty is with the Prime Minister and the government, The FAM will not be involved in any promotional or marketing campaigns or any other public relations aspects for their visit to Kuala Lumpur."

Tengku Abdullah had personally written two letters to AFC, explaining FAM’s position on the issue, but AFC did not empathise with FAM.

Tengku Abdullah said: "Since the match will be played on July 27, two days after all the Asian Cup 2007 matches which are to be played in Kuala Lumpur have ended, the FAM could not possibly deny all the necessary technical assistance usually accorded to an international match,

While FAM is supporting the government’s call to have the United match on, Tengku Abdullah is also aware of the possible repercussions.

FAM can be suspended by AFC for the interference by the government.

"I don’t want to think of this yet, we will cross the bridge when we get there, I have already informed the government of the consequences and they are aware of it, so we will wait and see," added Tengku Abdullah.

Hammam, travelling from Canada to Kuala Lumpur, was not available for comments.

The AFC fears that the presence of the Red Devils in the region during the Asian Cup finals from July 7-29 will divert attention from what is the continent’s flagship football competition.

United plan to kick off their pre-season tour against Japan’s J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds on July 17 before travelling to South Korea for a showdown with FC Seoul on July 20.

United then head to Macau to meet Shenzhen on July 23, before ending the tour in Kuala Lumpur on July 27 against a Malaysian XI.