Manchester United cancel game in Jakarta, Malaysia after Terror attack

Excellent newspaper The Times reports about Manchester Uniteds cancellation

read full article here

Manchester United cancel tour game after Jakarta terrorist attack

United’s arrival at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur
Image :1 of 2
Times Online

*

Manchester United have cancelled their match against an Indonesia Super League XI on July 20 in Jakarta following today’s bomb attacks, the club said.

The club arrived in Kuala Lumpur this morning to be immediately told of the terrorist atrocities that have rocked the Indonesian capital.

At least nine people, including some foreigners, were killed and at least 50 were injured in two large explosions at luxury hotels in Jakarta.

Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad were supposed to be flying to Jakarta tomorrow evening and staying at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, one of the terrorists’ targets. 

After seeking advice from various parties, including the Foreign Office, United confirmed they would not be flying to Jakarta tomorrow.

“Following the explosions in Jakarta – one of which was at the hotel the team were due to stay in – and based on advice received, the directors have informed the Indonesian FA that the club cannot fulfil the fixture in Jakarta on the 2009 Asia tour,” a club statement said.

David Gill, United’s chief executive, indicated the team might extend its stay in Malaysia but would consult the country’s football association before announcing a decision.

“We have to consider the safety of the players and the staff and everyone else in the team because they are of paramount importance,” Gill said.

Speaking at a press conference this morning in Kuala Lumpur, Ferguson said: “We got the news as we landed and it is very disappointing. I have never been to Indonesia before and I know the Indonesian FA have worked very hard on this.

“It is terrible news but we have taken what I believe to be the right decision in terms of safeguarding our players.”

A further statement by the club added that they were “deeply disappointed at not being able to visit Indonesia” and said “our thoughts go to those affected by the blasts.”

The near simultaneous explosions occurred at about 8am in the Ritz Carlton and in the nearby JW Marriott, the hotel where twelve people were killed and 150 injured in a suicide bombing almost six years ago.

The first blast killed seven people and the second killed two,