Sir Alex Ferguson is shocked at the Jakarta bomb blasts
that have forced Manchester United to cancel a friendly in the
Indonesian
capital.
The Red Devils boss said the attacks were "terrible news" and it
was "very disappointing" that the club had to cancel the game
against an Indonesian XI on Monday.
At least nine people have been killed and 50 injured in the
attacks on two luxury hotels in Jakarta. The Foreign Office said it
had no indication of any British casualties.
One of the attacks was on the Ritz-Carlton, where United had
been due to stay for four nights from Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday morning in Kuala
Lumpur, Ferguson said: "We got the news as we landed and it is very
disappointing. I have never been to Indonesia before and I know the
Indonesian FA have worked very hard on this.
"It is terrible news but we have taken what I believe to be the
right decision in terms of safeguarding our players."
United's chief executive David Gill said: "We have taken the
appropriate advice. We have met with the British High Commission
who are highly experienced in these matters.
"It is not a decision we have taken lightly."
Gill was asked if advice about potential trouble was given to
the club prior to the start of the pre-season trip to the Far
East.
Gill said: "We were aware of the situation but we spoke to the
right people and received the correct advice."
