Man Utd Cancel Indonesia Tour Match
Manchester United have called off their tour match in Indonesia after bomb blasts hit the hotel they were due to stay in.
The squad arrived in Kuala Lumpur ahead of their clash against a Malaysia XI and were set to face an Indonesia All Star side on Monday.
At least nine people were killed and 48 injured in the attacks in Jakarta. The first two blasts in Jakarta’s central business district happened at about 0730 (0030 GMT) with Jakarta police saying a number of foreigners were among those who died. Police said an unexploded bomb had also been found at the JW Marriott hotel.
There were reports of a third explosion in northern Jakarta a few hours later but it was not clear what the cause was.
Indonesian officials said there were indications that suicide bombers had carried out the attacks.
The Premier League champions are also lined up for two friendlies in South Korea and China on their tour of the Far East ahead of the new season.
A United statement said: ‘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.’
Monday’s match in Jakarta had been a 100,000 sell-out, with the club due to stay in the city’s Ritz-Carlton for four nights.
‘We are working on a revised itinerary outside Indonesia with the promoters and we will make a further announcement when these decisions have been made,’ the statement added.
‘We are deeply disappointed at not being able to visit Indonesia and thank the Indonesian FA and our fans for their support. Our thoughts go to all those affected by the blasts.’
United chief executive David Gill indicated the team might extend their stay in Malaysia but would consult the country’s football association before announcing a decision.
‘We could bring the Indonesian team here (in Kuala Lumpur). We’ll go through all the different possibilities and evaluate which is the most appropriate.
‘There are lots of things to be done before we sort out the logistics for the rest of the week.
‘We have to consider the safety of the players and the staff and everyone else in the team because they are of paramount importance. We have taken the appropriate advice. It is not a decision we have taken lightly.’
After their scheduled game in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, United are set to face South Korea’s FC Seoul on 24th July before taking on Chinese side Hangzhou Greentown two days later.
