Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday backed calls for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to allow Manchester United to play a tour match in the country.
The AFC pressured Malaysia into cancelling the July 27 fixture because it clashes with the Asian Cup tournament. But Abdullah said the match was part of a major tourism campaign.
"We want the team to visit Malaysia, seeing that it is Visit Malaysia Year 2007," Abdullah told reporters.
"If we have Manchester United playing in Kuala Lumpur, many of their fans in the region, like from Singapore and Thailand, might be interested to come here to watch the match. This is a good thing," he said. "We hope that the organizers will not cancel the Manchester United tour. This is the government's intention for Visit Malaysia Year 2007."
Abdullah's comments follow an appeal by Malaysia's sport minister Azalina Othman Said, who said she expected "more compassion" from the AFC.
"I understand and fully respect the decision and reasons behind AFC's stand, but I would have expected a little more compassion," she was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times yesterday, singling out its president Mohammed bin Hammam.
Last year Malaysian soccer bosses signed an agreement with the AFC, which is based in Kuala Lumpur, not to promote other matches during the July 7-29 Asian Cup, which is co-hosted by Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.
Noting the AFC's actions with a "heavy heart," Azalina said the newly crowned English Premier League champions would be an important lure for visitors amid the tourism drive.
"This is Malaysia's 50th year of independence and also Visit Malaysia Year. Manchester United ... are a part of the celebrations," she said.
"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," she added.
Azalina said the government and the Football Association of Malaysia would promote the Asian Cup as much as possible.
"Malaysians are passionate football fans and I do not believe that United's one match here is going to jeopardize the turnout for the Asian Cup Finals," she said.
RSS