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Host Singapore’s pullout from AFC Cup may affect M-League

THE Malaysian Football League (MFL) fear their M-League will be jeopardised by Singapore’s withdrawal as host for the AFC Cup (Group H and I) on June 29– July 6.

While the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) scramble to find a new host, the MFL are left in a bind as they can’t delay the MLeague any further.

MFL have to resume their league, which is on a one-month break, on July 3 or it will lead to other complications.

MFL chief executive officer Datuk Ab Ghani said though AFC are working on getting a new host for the AFC Cup, no countries have stepped forth so far due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

And MFL can’t postpone the MLeague much longer due to Johor Darul Ta’zim’s participation in the AFC Champions League, and the involvement of Kedah and

Terengganu in the AFC Cup.

“We cannot postpone the MLeague to anything further than November (end of the season) because a lot of the players and officials’ contracts are only valid until the end of November, 2021.

“MFL, through FAM, had informed the AFC that the new host of the AFC Cup should stick to the original schedule to ensure the domestic leagues of the participating countries are not affected.

“The Super League will still start on July 24 as JDT, who are in the ACL from June 21-July 7 in Thailand, need to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

“The number of Malaysia Cup matches (this season) can’t be reduced due to MFL’s commitments to sponsors.”

Meanwhile, Ghani said MFL hope to discuss with the government on the possibility of allowing fans back at the stadia for M-League matches.

“I don’t see a problem with throwing the idea (allowing fans into stadia).

“If we look at abroad, vaccinated fans are allowed to watch games and they still follow SOPs,” he said.

“The fans are still wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing.

“We can focus only on those who have been vaccinated.”

Ghani said this could also encourage “anti-vaxxers” to get vaccinated for the love of football.

Comparatively, a limited number of fans are allowed into stadia at the 11 host cities of Euro 2020 from Glasgow to St Petersburg amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The same could be seen in Dubai in Malaysia’s World Cup/Asian Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates as vaccinated fans were allowed into the stadium.

We cannot postpone the M-League to anything further than November (end of the season) because a lot of the players and officials’ contracts are only valid until the end of November, 2021.” DATUK AB GHANI

MFL chief executive officer