Sabah out of M’sia Cup, says MFL chief

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KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah will not be able to join the 2020 Malaysia Cup campaign which kicks off on Nov 6, due to the Covid-19 pandemic which is still raging in the state.

Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive officer Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan while confirming that the prestigious tournament will continue on schedule said the Sabah squad could not obtain clearance from the National Security Council (MKN) to leave the state due to the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) which has been extended until Nov 9.

“Therefore, the team drawn against Sabah in the first round of the Malaysia Cup 2020 will be given a 3-0 victory and qualify directly to the quarterfinals.

“Sabah remain a Super League team for the 2021 season and no punishment will be imposed on Sabah for this issue,” he said in a statement.

He said Sabah’s final Super League match against UiTM FC in Melaka which had been postponed from Oct 11 to Oct 31, was also called off, with the latter being handed a 3-0 victory.

The result sees Sabah end the 2020 Super League campaign in 10th place out of 12 teams after collecting nine points, while UiTM FC moved up to sixth with 17 points.

Commenting on the teams under CMCO in the peninsula such as Selangor, Petaling Jaya (PJ) City FC, UiTM FC and Kuala Lumpur, Ab Ghani said MFL would help the clubs play at Green Zone venues.

Meanwhile, Sabah head coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto accepted the decision with an open heart and believed that the call by MKN was for the safety and wellbeing of all parties concerned.

“Of course the decision is still a shock to us all, but the players and I understand this,” Kurniawan said.

“We must comply with the directives of the MKN and the government, so as concerned citizens, we accept this decision,” he said, adding that this would not upset their plans to prepare well for next season. — Bernama