United Drop Malaysia Fixture

Manchester United have scrapped plans to visit Malaysia as part of their Far East tour.
United had been invited to play in Kuala Lumpur on July 27 by the Malaysian government as part of the country's 50th anniversary celebrations.

But confirmation of their visit drew an instant response from the Asian Football Confederation, who felt United's presence would overshadow the Asia Cup, for which Malaysia are one of four co-hosts.

With FIFA president Sepp Blatter lending his support to the AFC's argument, United chief executive David Gill flew out to Kuala Lumpur last week in an attempt to resolve the impasse.

But he discovered the Red Devils could not play in Malaysia without the AFC's permission, something the Premier League champions were previously unaware of.

Further negotiations have since taken place but with the AFC determinedly sticking to their stance, United have now bowed to the inevitable, a decision which is sure to upset their thousands of fans in the region.

“It is very frustrating that the club was not previously aware of the legally binding contract between the AFC and the Football Association of Malaysia preventing such games in July,” admitted Gill.

“The club believed that all the relevant permissions for the match had been secured some months ago.

“Manchester United has no desire to go against the wishes of the world governing body, FIFA, and as a result, reluctantly has to withdraw from the fixture.

“I have written to Ministers and the Crown Prince in Malaysia to express our disappointment.

“I hope that the strong relationship that has been established between the Club and the Malaysian Government and people will continue and that we will be able to return in more agreeable circumstances in the future.”

United remain fully committed to completing the first three legs of the tour, which takes them to Tokyo, Seoul and Macau.

They are also investigating the possibility of playing a fourth match - almost certainly in China - although arranging a fixture at such short notice could be tricky.

The alternative is to fly home immediately after their game in Macau on July 23 and play an extra friendly when they return home before their clash with Serie A champions Inter Milan at Old Trafford on August 1.

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