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Man Utd scrap Jakarta match after hotel blasts

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-17 15:36

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Manchester United has canceled a planned visit to Indonesia after Friday's bomb attack on the hotel where it was due to stay in Jakarta.

Manchester United's manager Alex Ferguson arrives at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur July 17, 2009. Manchester United will play Malaysian selection on Saturday in their friendly soccer match. [Agencies]

The English Premier League club was booked to stay on Saturday and Sunday nights at the Ritz-Carlton, one of the two hotels hit by Friday's terror attack. The blasts at the Ritz and the adjacent J.W. Marriott killed nine and wounded at least 50 more.

The club said it has informed the Indonesian Football Association that it cannot play the friendly match against the Indonesian All Stars scheduled for Monday.

Related readings:  Man Utd prepare for new season in Asia  Jakarta hotel bombs kill 9, dent investor confidence  9 dead, 50 wounded in Jakarta blasts  Police find unexploded bomb at Jakarta Marriott hotel  Analysis: Jakarta hotel bomb blasts

United arrived earlier Friday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - the first stop of what was supposed to be a four-nation Asian pre-season tour that also includes South Korea and China.

"We are working on a revised itinerary outside Indonesia with the promoters, and will make a further announcement when these decisions have been made," the club statement's said.

The club said it was "deeply disappointed at not being able to visit Indonesia" and said "our thoughts go to those affected by the blasts."