AFC moots blacklisting National Stadium from future matches – report

 

The Bukit Jalil National Stadium could be blacklisted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) from holding future matches unless the poor condition of its pitch is rectified.

Nevertheless, the last two Group E matches of the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers will still be played at the stadium tomorrow as scheduled, according to reports.

“We were shocked to see the condition of the field and we can’t just blame the rain for it. The stadium owner needs to be more prepared and not leave it to the Malaysia Football Association to handle the matter.

“So, we are quite disappointed with the condition of the field that still hasn’t been rectified, but even used unsuitable tools to remove water from the field.

“I think if the situation at Bukit Jalil National Stadium goes on like this, the AFC will not approve further matches at the stadium,” Berita Harian quoted AFC secretary-general Windsor Paul John as saying.

The report said this would mean the stadium would no longer host Asia-level matches until repairs are made.

Malaysia is one of the six hosts for the last round of qualifiers for Asia Cup 2023.

No change for 2 matches

Nevertheless, Bernama quoted the secretary-general today as saying that the Bahrain-Turkmenistan and Malaysia-Bangladesh matches for the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers will still go on at the stadium tomorrow.

“No change of venue. Both matches will proceed as scheduled,” he reportedly told the newswire service, following reports suggesting the matches could be moved to a different stadium.

The poor condition of the stadium’s pitch became a subject of public ridicule when it rained heavily just before the Malaysia-Bahrain match at the stadium on Saturday.

The field became inundated during the rain. To prepare the field for the match, workers were seen using tools such as brooms, dustpans, and cardboard to scoop water and remove it from the field.

The New Straits Times reported that Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) said it did not order the use of such hand tools to remove water from the field, which it said was unnecessary and could have damaged the grass.

It quoted PSM chief executive Mohd Faidz Sanusi saying it typically takes 15 minutes for the stadium’s drainage system to drain water from the field, but this could take 20 to 25 minutes during heavy and continuous rain.

“At 7.30pm after the downpour yesterday. the pitch was covered with water but at 8pm, it had subsided, so they need not have used shovels and cardboard to remove the water.

“By doing this, the grass would be damaged,” he was quoted as saying. The match on Saturday was scheduled for 9pm.

The NST also reported separately that Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had agreed in March to sponsor Zeon Zoysia grass for the stadium as well as a better drainage system, with works projected to take around four months.

However, the stadium’s management reportedly asked for the pitch relaying work to only start in January next year because the stadium is already fully booked for events this year. - Mkini