United cancel Indonesia trip due to blasts

[Source : Sydney Morning Herald]


Manchester United have canceled their trip to Indonesia after fatal blasts ruptured two luxurious hotels, Ritz Carlton and Marriott in Jakarta.

United were to play Indonesia Super League XI on Monday and incidentally were supposed to stay at the Ritz Carlton.

United's official website read :

Following the explosions in Jakarta – one of which was at the hotel the team were due to stay in – and based on advice received, the Directors have informed the Indonesian FA that the Club cannot fulfil the fixture in Jakarta on the 2009 Asia tour.

Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson was shocked to hear about the blasts as they touched down in Kuala Lumpur.

It was a bit of a shock. We got the news just as we landed and it’s very disappointing.

The organisers of the Indonesian FA have worked very hard to get Manchester United over there and it’s a terribly big disappointment for them. There’s no other decision we could have taken in regards to the safeguarding of our players. We feel we’ve made the right decision.

It has been hinted that there could be changes in United's tour dates with David Gill not ruling out the possibility of the Indonesian side traveling to Kuala Lumpur for the game.

Deepest sympathies go out to the families of the people inside those hotels and people of Jakarta.