Reezal Merican also misses presence of '12th player'

KUALA LUMPUR: Like every football fan in the country, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican also misses the involvement of the "12th player" when the Malaysia League (M-League) kicked off on Friday.

The minister, who was at the City Stadium to watch Penang's Super League match against Kuala Lumpur City FC (KL City FC) yesterday, posted on his Facebook page today that his ministry was working on getting fans back into stadiums in stages.

In his posting on the compliance of the standard operating procedure (SOP) for Super League matches to be held under the sports bubble concept, he said that for a start, at least 10 per cent of the actual stadium capacity or 4,000 supporters, whichever is lower, would be expected to be allowed to watch the games.

"Thank you to the state government, MFL (Malaysian Football League), Penang FA (Football Association of Penang) management, Penang FC and players for being meticulous in ensuring this sports bubble can provide an environment that is (COVID-19) contagion-proof.

"I am very optimistic that this kind of commitment will fully convince the government that sports can be carried out safely if priority is given to SOP compliance.

"We all miss the support of the fans every time a match is played, right? Insya Allah, soon. Even I don't feel right watching a game without supporters," he said as he congratulated Penang FC for their narrow 1-0 win over KL City FC.

The 2021 M-League campaign kicked off on Friday when Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) retained the Charity Shield for the fourth straight time with a 2-0 win over Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium behind closed doors.

Last Thursday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government might allow fans back into the stadiums in small scale and in stages if the COVID-19 cases in the country can be reduced.

-- BERNAMA