ISU MENGENAI PERLAWANAN KOREA UTARA MENENTANG MALAYSIA

2017-05-11

Saya ingin menjelaskan sedikit tentang isu berhubung perlawanan Pusingan Akhir Kelayakan 'AFC Asian Cup UAE' 2019 Peringkat Kumpulan B yang akan diadakan di Pyongyang, Korea Utara pada 8 Jun 2017 nanti. Sepertimana sedia maklum, Kerajaan Malaysia tidak menggalakkan pasukan Harimau Malaya untuk pergi ke negara Korea Utara disebabkan oleh isu diplomatik yang sedang berlaku sekarang ini. Walaubagaimanapun, sehingga kini Kerajaan Malaysia tidak ada mengeluarkan sekatan perjalanan cuma nasihat mengenai perjalanan (Travel Advisory) dan itu tidak mencukupi untuk Konfederasi Bolasepak Asia (AFC) untuk menukarkan venue perlawanan asal ke venue neutral.

 Saya selaku Presiden Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM) amat mengambil berat berkenaan isu keselamatan pemain-pemain negara dan agak sukar bagi saya sebenarnya dalam situasi ini untuk melepaskan mereka ke sana. Sekiranya FAM tidak melepaskan Harimau Malaya pergi ke perlawanan tersebut di Pyongyang, Korea Utara akan diberikan kemenangan percuma 3-0. Tambahan lagi kita juga akan didenda sehingga USD50ribu dan akan disingkirkan daripada pertandingan piala kelayakan di Asia. Lebih membimbangkan adalah besar kemungkinan juga kita akan disingkirkan daripada mana-mana perlawanan AFC pada masa akan datang. Persoalannya ialah apa yang harus kita lakukan? Saya sememangnya mahukan perlawanan ini diadakan di venue neutral demi keselamatan para pemain negara.

 Selain itu, saya juga dimaklumkan oleh beberapa jurulatih yang pernah pergi ke negara tersebut bahawa situasi di negara tersebut agak teruk. Malah saya juga khuatir dengan masalah jaminan keselamatan serta layanan kemudahan penginapan dari segi tempat tinggal dan makanan di sana. Ini disebabkan kerana salah satu maklumat yang saya terima mengatakan kami perlu membawa makanan sendiri oleh kerana isu sabotaj. Seperkara lagi adalah berkenaan masalah mutu pengadilan disana kerana sekiranya terdapat keputusan yang tidak menyebelahi Korea Utara pastinya keselamatan pengadil akan terjejas sekaligus membuatkan pengadil tersebut akan tertekan.

 Apa-apa pun saya sebagai Presiden FAM tidak setuju sama sekali untuk kami pergi ke Korea Utara tetapi keputusan tersebut terletak pada kerajaan dan Menteri Sukan. Bagi saya keutamaan adalah keselamatan rakyat Malaysia. Kami harus membuat keputusan untuk meletakkan keselamatan rakyat sebagai agenda pertama dan bukan membuat keputusan berdasarkan situasi politik. Perkara ini terletak kepada apa kerajaan Malaysia dan penyokong bola sepak tanah air inginkan.

 

DYAM Mejar Jeneral Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Mahkota Johor, Presiden Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM)

 

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THE ISSUE OF NORTH KOREA VS MALAYSIA MATCH

 

FOR the benefit of the people who are still in doubt, I would like to explain a little about the issue surrounding the 2019 AFC Asian Cup UAE qualifying match due to be played in Pyongyang, North Korea on June 7th 2017. As you may know, the Malaysian government has discouraged the Harimau Malaya from travelling to North Korea to play the match due to the ongoing 'diplomatic row'. However, to date the government has not issued a travel ban, just a travel advisory, and that is not a strong enough reason for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to switch the original match venue to a neutral one.

 As president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), I view things very seriously when it comes to the safety of our national players and officials. So this being the case, it is difficult for me to allow the players and officials to travel to Pyongyang. If the FAM does not allow them to travel to Pyongyang to play the match, North Korea will be awarded a 3-0 win. Added to that, we will also be fined up to US$50,000 and will be eliminated from the qualifying stages of the Asian Cup. But what is more worrying is that there is a good chance that Malaysia will be disqualified from all future AFC matches.The question now is what do we do? Truthfully, I would like the match to be played at a neutral venue for the sake of the players' safety.

 Another big worry is that I have been reliably informed by several coaches who visited North Korea before the present row that the situation in the hermit nation is very bad. I'm also very concerned about the safety assurance regarding the accommodation provided and the food. According to the information I have received we need to bring our own food due to the possibility of sabotage. Another big concern is the issue of refereeing because if there are decisions going against the North Koreans, there is the possibility that the safety of match officials will be affected and that will surely put them under pressure.

 Taking all this into consideration, and after weighing the pros and cons, as President of FAM, I am definitely not in favour of the team travelling to North Korea, but ultimately the final decision rests with our government and the Sports Ministry. For me, the safety of the Malaysian people is of the utmost importance. We must always put the people's safety first no matter the situation. This is what the Malaysian government and our football fans want above all else.

 

HRH Major General Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor and President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)

 

Demi Bola Sepak Tanah Air

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