The Football Association of Selangor (FAS) yesterday received news from the National Security Council (MKN) announcing that the ongoing Malaysia Cup 2020 competition is now postponed.

The announcement received mixed reactions among Malaysian football stakeholders including organizers, teams, sponsors, supporters, players, coaches, officials, staff, and media staff who are directly involved in the sport.

This is because there were too many obstacles faced by the football sports sector since the Movement Control Regulation (PKP) was introduced earlier this year. What affect the football industry the most is the banning of entry of supporters into the stadium and the organization of league tournaments which have been shortened to just one round.

The loss of the presence of supporters and the reduced number of matches directly affect the income generated by the club and the agreement reached between the club and the sponsor. Both of these matters are paramount in maintaining the financial viability of the club, especially after all M League teams have been privatized for the upcoming new season.

After the Malaysian League was allowed to resume last August, a total of 42 Super League matches and 7 Malaysia Cup matches took place until last weekend. During these 49 matches, all staff, officers, and football players underwent a swab test and followed strict procedures to prevent any infection and transmission of the COVID-19 epidemic.

As a result, no cases have been recorded or new clusters have emerged from the professional football sector. All these football clubs in Malaysia have also just started to breathe a sigh of relief because all the investments that have been made at the beginning of the season can at least be carried out and begin to ease the burden of various parties affected due to league dependence.

Therefore, FAS would like to request the good service and wisdom of MKN to review the decision to postpone the Malaysia Cup tournament that has been announced.

Every football player and club is an economic asset of the country and it is very difficult for the football industry to bounce back if the Malaysia Cup tournament is postponed until a period that until now, has not been confirmed.

On top of that, another reason to consider the postponement of the Malaysia Cup is the contract signed between the players and the football club in Malaysia - which is on average tied until the end of November this year. If the Malaysia Cup match is held after this date, many of the players’ contracts are invalid and this will make it difficult for the club to prepare for the rest of the match, as well as the preparations for the next season.

Although the safety of the people is the most important agenda at this time, FAS believes that strict compliance with the SOPs that have been set during the Malaysia Cup will be able to control the spread of this pandemic in professional football.

Through careful planning and new solutions that have been provided by the Malaysian Football League (MFL), FAS would also like to express support and trust in the appeal application submitted by MFL today.

The proposal that has been recommended by MFL is ‘quarantine-based’ or centralized matches in PKPB neutral states which is believed to be the best measure to ensure the situation and conditions are safe and under controlled. In addition, the Malaysia Cup tournament has only 7 matches left and each round will see the number of teams competing will be decreased where 8 teams will be involved in the quarterfinals, 4 teams will be involved in the semi-finals, and 2 teams will be involved in the final.

Therefore, FAS hopes that MKN can consider MFL’s appeal and proposal to continue the remaining Malaysia Cup 2020 matches.

If given the opportunity, FAS will ensure that each and every player, officer, and staff involved will continue to comply and practice the SOP provided in preventing the spread of COVID-19 which has been proven so far.

Media Unit
FA Selangor