From : http://www.espnstar.com/epl/epl_newsdetail_5809714.html
AFC president slams 'disrespectful' Man Utd
by Martin Parry
KUALA LUMPUR, May 7, 2007 (AFP) - AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam
on Monday launched a stinging attack on Manchester United, calling
them "disrespectful" and demanding they cancel their Asian
tour.
The pre-season commercial tour in July clashes with the Asian Cup
finals, prompting bin Hamman to suggest the new Premier League
champions put something back into Asian football instead of
grabbing its money.
"Cancel your tour -- this is the message
on behalf of the whole Asian football family, all our players, our
coaches," he said in response to AFP questions on the sidelines of
the Asian Football Confederation Congress here.
"It is disrespectful. This is not the solidarity we expect from the
football family.
"We expect Manchester United to look for something more than money.
Asia is giving them so much money during the on-season. One month
every four years and they cannot spare it to not play in
Asia?"
Bin Hammam fears the presence of Manchester United will divert
attention away from the July 7-29 Asian Cup -- the region's
flagship competition being co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia,
Thailand and Vietnam.
The AFC is pinning hopes on the tournament sparking new interest in
Asian football from Asian fans.
Last month United announced they would warm up for the 2007-2008
season with a tour that takes them to Japan, South Korea, Macau and
Malaysia.
They plan to kick off against J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds
on July 17 in Saitama before travelling to the South Korean capital
for a showdown with FC Seoul on July 20.
Alex Ferguson's team are then due to head to Macau for a match
against Shenzhen on July 23, before ending the tour in Kuala Lumpur
on July 27 against a Malaysian XI.
Bin Hamman said the Asian Cup dates were set by FIFA and each
association hosting matches had signed guarantees not to promote or
hold any other football games throughout July and for three days
after the Cup concludes.
He suggested the Football Association of Malaysia could face
disciplinary action but reserved his harshest criticism for United,
who were handed the league title on Sunday when Chelsea could only
manage a 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
"We are trying to encourage more spectators to watch Asian football
but it looks like the people at Manchester want to fight this idea
and corner this market," he said.
"Frankly, it is a colonial way of thinking. It is not fair play at
all.
"We can prevent them playing in Malaysia but I don't want them to
play in Korea, Japan or China either. They are welcome in June,
they are welcome in August, but not in July."
He said he had been in touch with the Football Association as early
as last September about the tour and had initially received
assurances that it would not clash.
Bin Hammam added that he had the support of FIFA president Sepp
Blatter.
"He is of the opinion that everybody must respect the calendar. It
is simple," said bin Hammam.
Blatter is in Kuala Lumpur but was not immediately available for
comment.
In another slap to the Red Devils, the
AFC supremo pointed to their arch-rivals Chelsea as a team that was
putting back into Asia.
"We have a very good example from Chelsea who have signed an
agreement to develop football at the grassroots in Asia, That is a
good example," he said.
In March, Chelsea signed a deal with the AFC to provide financial
and technical support to mainly grassroots football clubs across
China until 2010.
