The Malaysian League (M-League) series of football matches is unlikely to continue even after the ongoing movement control order (MCO) has been lifted, according to Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Ismail said this was in line with current procedures on social distancing and to disallow all forms of mass gatherings, even until an extended period after the formal MCO has been lifted.
"You can't play football alone.
"There must be teams and so with two teams that would be at least 22 people on the field," he said during the daily National Security Council Covid-19 update press conference in Putrajaya.
"Football is also not like badminton with one person there and one person here.
"In football there would be physical contact among players. So based on current procedures, for sure we cannot allow football matches to take place," said the senior minister in charge of the security cluster.
He was responding to a question on a request from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for the NSC and Health Ministry’s views on adopting a standard operating procedure so that the Malaysian League can be resumed once the MCO is lifted.
Ismail also reiterated that even after the MCO has been lifted, certain procedures against mass gatherings will remain and new rules will also be put in place.
He explained that the NSC is currently drafting the new procedures to be enforced after the MCO - soon to enter its fourth phase beginning April 29 - is formally lifted.
"How long will the new procedures be in place will be announced at a later date," he added.
FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam reportedly said their request to the authorities was made after Malaysian Football League (MFL) president Hamidin Mohd Amin, who is also the FAM president, and MFL chief executive officer Ab Ghani Hassan held a special meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican in Putrajaya yesterday.
"While the FAM and MFL put the country’s health aspects ahead of football, we also need to cooperate to find a way for football to resume and that is why we want to get expert advice from the relevant parties," Stuart was quoted as saying by Bernama.
He stressed that the FAM would accept and obey all directives issued by either the MOH or NSC, even if it could lead to the cancellation of all football activities.
FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam reportedly said their request to the authorities was made after Malaysian Football League (MFL) president Hamidin Mohd Amin, who is also the FAM president, and MFL chief executive officer Ab Ghani Hassan held a special meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican in Putrajaya yesterday.
"While the FAM and MFL put the country’s health aspects ahead of football, we also need to cooperate to find a way for football to resume and that is why we want to get expert advice from the relevant parties," Stuart was quoted as saying by Bernama.
He stressed that the FAM would accept and obey all directives issued by either the MOH or NSC, even if it could lead to the cancellation of all football activities.
The FAM and MFL had previously decided to postpone all football activities in the country effective March 16 following the global Covid-19 pandemic as well as to comply with the MCO. - Mkini
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