2020 Malaysia Cup postponed, says Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (MKN) today decided that the 2020 Malaysia Cup tournament will be postponed to a later date, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Although currently football matches are held without spectators, MKN thinks the sport involves physical contact between players that can cause the risk of COVID-19 infection.

"Football activities involve contact in wet and sweaty conditions, so they can be considered dangerous.

Unlike badminton which does not involve physical contact, in football it is inevitable.

"After all, almost every state has been subject to the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) and we do not allow any tournament," he told the daily press conference here today.

The first round of the Malaysia Cup 2020 competition is scheduled to take place from Nov 6 to 8, followed by the quarterfinals (Nov 12 and 13), semi-finals (Nov 17) and the final on Nov 22. The 2020 Malaysia Cup champions will get to play in the 2021 AFC Cup.

The government had earlier announced that CMCO would be implemented throughout the states in the peninsula except for Pahang, Perlis and Kelantan, effective for four weeks starting today until Dec 6.

-- BERNAMA