KUALA LUMPUR – The FA of Malaysia (FAM) welcomes the government’s decision to allow football fans back into the stadium to watch and cheer clubs playing in the M-League.
FAM president, Datuk Hamidin Haji Mohd Amin, said that this decision has come at the right time. However, football supporters are pleaded to follow the strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that has been set by the government and the Malaysian Football League (MFL).
“This is good news not only for football but for sports. Sports had been hit severely with this Covid-19 pandemic, especially football. With all the SOPs set, I believe the Government will allow more capacity in the next few months.
“I hope that football supporters will follow the SOPs, so that we can avoid any untoward incidents,” he told The Vibes when contacted.
At the same time, MFL CEO Dato ‘AB Ghani Hassan said that MFL would like to express its appreciation to the government for allowing fans to return this month.
“I am happy that fans are now allowed into the stadiums. It has been one year since a football match had fans into the stadium. I also want all teams to remain compliant with each SOPs that has been set for their bubble -based training program.
“The last thing we would want now is a M-League cluster,” he said.
Hamidin added that fans play an important role when it comes to the performances of teams and players, citing that the performance level increases when the fans are physically present at the stadiums.
Yesterday, the government announced that football fans will be allowed back to stadiums from April 1. However, clubs from States, which are under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) are only allowed to accommodate 10% of its stadium’s capacity or 2,000 people, whichever is lower.
Meanwhile, clubs in states under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), would be allowed 25% capacity or 8,000 people.
He said that Johor Darul Ta'zim vs Melaka United FC and Kuala Lumpur City FC vs Sabah FC will be the first two matches that will have football fans in the stadium. Both matches will be played on April 2 and April 3, respectively.
The approved SOPs for the stadiums have been given to the Youth and Sports ministry. The SOPs have been approved by the health ministry and National Security Council (NSC). – The Vibes, March 19, 2021.
