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Tuesday May 29, 2007

Malaysia thank FIFA for giving CYC the green light

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government have expressed their appreciation to FIFA for giving the sanction to the Champions Youth Cup (CYC) scheduled to be held in Malaysia from Aug 5-19.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said yesterday: “I would like to express the government's sincere thanks to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has decided to give back the sanction by the world football governing bodies' executive committee at their meeting in Zurich yesterday.”

Azalina said this after officiating the fourth Asian regional inter-government meeting on anti-doping in sports here.

The controversy was sparked off when the G-14 group, who represent 18 top European clubs and are not recognised by either FIFA or the UEFA, wanted to organise the Under-19 tournament here.

Thus, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) had requested for FIFA's sanction for the CYC after the organisers, the United Kingdom-based Gifted Group Limited, decided to change the competition's name from G-14 to CYC to include teams from Europe, Asia and South America.

FIFA had sanctioned the CYC tournament on March 8 but revoked it on April 30.

Commenting on the reasons behind the decision, Azalina said one of the reasons might be FIFA's emphasis on the importance of youth development.

The CYC will feature 14 of the world's most famous football clubs, including AC Milan, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona and Juventus, and the international tournament is being held in conjunction with the country's 50th Merdeka celebration.

On the Manchester United's tour here to play a friendly match against the Malaysian team in Kuala Lumpur on July 27 that was called off on the order from FIFA, Azalina said the Malaysian government still welcomed any offer from international clubs to play friendly matches here.

“However, the timing should not clash with other important tournaments,” she said.

Blatter said on Sunday that the match had been called off because it clashed with the Asian Cup Finals scheduled for July 7-29. – Bernama

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