Audio By Carbonatix
Manchester United have called off their match in Indonesia after bomb blasts hit the hotel they were due to stay in.
The squad arrived in Kuala Lumpur ahead of Saturday's 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 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 fulfill 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."
New signing Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were among a 22-man squad that flew out from Manchester to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
After arriving in the Malaysian capital, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It's a bit of a shock for all of us. We just got news of this when we landed.
"I have never been to Indonesia before and I know the Indonesian FA have worked very hard on this.
"There was no other solution as we had to safeguard our players. So it's the correct decision."
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 have to consider the safety of the players and the staff and everyone else in the team because they are of paramount importance," he told a news conference.
"We have taken the appropriate advice. We have met with the British High Commission who are highly experienced in these matters. It is not a decision we have taken lightly."
When asked if advice about potential trouble was given to the club ahead of the pre-season trip to the Far East, Gill added: "We were aware of the situation but we spoke to the right people and received the correct advice."
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.
Indonesia has not witnessed such atrocities for nearly six years.
Attacks on two nightclubs in Bali in October 2002 killed 202 people, many of them Australian, while the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, one of the two hotels targeted on Friday, suffered a bomb attack in August 2003 in which 13 people were killed.
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Drug bust: NACOC should be part of port inspection team – Twum-Barimah
4 seconds -
Ward appointed Liverpool’s sporting director
21 seconds -
This isn’t the first cocaine bust; NPP must stop the politicisation – NACOC deputy boss
4 minutes -
Drug bust case: Only Customs officers, MPS officials in scanning room – NACOC
1 hour -
I don’t mind being insulted; I have a crocodile skin – President Mahama
1 hour -
Samson’s Take: Verify the badge – and verify the story
2 hours -
President Mahama explains why Ghana must rethink regulation of TikTok, other new media platforms
2 hours -
Rule of law must be protected – GBA condemns EOCO action against Baffour Awuah
3 hours -
950,000 barrels of Sankofa crude head to TOR as GNPC deepens domestic refining
3 hours -
Scales of deception removed – Annoh-Dompreh attacks new cocoa price
4 hours -
Young Positivist Writes : My Experience with GCLP
5 hours -
Strong Day 1 turnout sets tone for Day 2 of Republic Bank-JoyNews Habitat Fair Clinic
5 hours -
Ghana Army warns new soldiers against social media misuse, uniform abuse
6 hours -
AMA calls for science-led action to tackle environmental health risks in Accra
6 hours -
NPP Canada Organizer BigMo urges Diaspora to support Kodua Frimpong
7 hours