Friday, July 17, 2009

MU cancels trip to Jakarta


Manchester United will not be playing the Indonesian national team on Monday. The decision to cancel the Jakarta leg of the 2009 pre-season tour was made after bom attacks rocked the capital city on Friday.

Two hotels were the target of the terror attacks - JW Marriot Hotel and Ritz Carlton, where the red devils were due to stay. The Indonesian team were staying at the Marriot. A presidential spokesman said that nine people were killed in the deadly attacks.

"The Directors have informed the All Indonesia Football Association that Manchester United cannot fulfil the fixture in Jakarta. We are deeply dissapointed at not being able to visit Indonesia and than the Indonesian FA and our fans for their support. Our thoughts go to all those affected by the blasts," said a statement from the club.

The Tour of Asia by the Rede Devils consisted of four fixtures, starting with a game against Malaysia XI Saturday, against Indonesian All Stars on Monday, FC Seoul in South Korea on July 24 and Hangzhou Greentown in China two days later

United's Chief Executive Officer David Gill said: "We have taken the appropriate advice. We nhave met with the British High Commission who are highly experienced in these matters. It is not a decision we have taken lightly. We were aware of the situation but we spoke to the right people and received the correct advice."

United Manager, Alex Ferguson said that he was shock with the news of the terror attacks but the club had no other option but the safeguard their players.

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