Manchester United Cancel Their Visit to Indonesia

The coach of MU, Sir Alex Ferguson shocked when he heard the bombing news after MU arrived in Malaysia. Moreover, Manchester United will stay in The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jakarta. Gary Neville and the other MU squad will check-in in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel after the match in Malaysia on Sunday midnight (July 19th). The hotel management itself also very ready to prepared their hotel as the home for official Manchester United home base while they are in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"We are very disappointed. We never come to Indonesia before and the promoter works very hard to make us come to Indonesia" in pers conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (July 17th). "I joined in the MU Asia Tour for 21 years and this is the first time we must cancel our visit. And I'm sure it will disappoint our fans in Indonesia. But, we don't have other choice, because the situation is not safe anymore for our players, staffs, and our fans. I'm sure that we make the best decision for this situation" the 67 years old MU coach said.

David Gill the MU Chief Executive said the similar statement with the coach. The decision has made after consulting with all of the relevant authorities. And we waited the England Government decision about travel warning for our civilians. "We have shared it and the decision has been discussed properly. The decision isn't come only from us. But also from other party, such as England government. Because we know that we will disappointed our fans in Indonesia, because this is our first visit in Indonesia" he said.

Meanwhile, there is also many sad statements commented by the fans in Indonesia. Their comment can be found easily on some online forums, at the online social media such, newspaper and magazine, and the other. They had been preparing for their self to attending the game in Jakarta, but it is now realized the game has cancelled due to recent bombing activity.

Indonesia is the fifth largest population country in the world. Thus, with this big population in the country, Indonesia has the biggest football fans in the world, in this case for Manchester United. Many sport television programs in Indonesia has been broadcasting the football games to their viewers. When MU is playing, most of them surely will watch the game as MU can be say the most popular football club in Indonesia.