KJ sympathises with fans over venue change

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has sympathised with thousands of local football fans over a change in venue for the friendly match between Malaysia XI and Barcelona FC tonight.

The venue was switched from the Bukit Jalil National Stadium (SNBJ) to Shah Alam Stadium at the last moment when the Spanish football giants were unhappy with the quality of the field after an hour-long training session at the venue last night.

Khairy, in his Facebook site said the selection of SNBJ for the match at 8.45 tonight was made by the organiser and the Football Association of Malaysia who should have known the condition of the pitch better.

After being dissatisfied with the quality of the field during a visit to SNBJ on June 6, Khairy directed the stadium to be closed for six months, beginning October, to replace the existing turf.

According to him, the stadium could not be closed earlier as several organisers had made prior bookings for several concerts, and upon the request of FAM to hold the Malaysia Cup final there in October.