Manchester United have cancelled their first trip to Indonesia after two bomb blasts at tourist hotels in Jakarta.
At least nine people have been killed and 50 injured following blasts this morning at the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels in the capital city.
Today’s blasts went off at about 7:45 a.m. and ripped the facade off the Ritz, where the Red Devils had been due to stay for four nights.
United players including Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen arrived in Kuala Lumpur hours after the explosions and were scheduled to fly to Jakarta tomorrow after playing against a Malaysian XI in the Malaysian capital.
And after seeking advice from various parties, including the Foreign Office, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have decided to cancel their visit to Jakarta.
"Following the explosions in Jakarta - one of which was at the hotel the team were due to stay in - and based on advice received, the directors have informed the Indonesian FA that the club cannot fulfil the fixture in Jakarta on the 2009 Asia tour," read a club statement.
"We are working on a revised itinerary outside Indonesia with the promoters and we will make a further announcement when these decisions have been made.
"We are deeply disappointed at not being able to visit Indonesia and thank the Indonesian FA and our fans for their support.
"Our thoughts go to all those affected by the blasts."
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."
The Indonesian Super League XI, due to face United on July 20, was staying at the Marriott and only missed the explosions because players were training at the time. The team has moved to another hotel.
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At least nine people have been killed and 50 injured following blasts this morning at the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels in the capital city.
Today’s blasts went off at about 7:45 a.m. and ripped the facade off the Ritz, where the Red Devils had been due to stay for four nights.
United players including Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen arrived in Kuala Lumpur hours after the explosions and were scheduled to fly to Jakarta tomorrow after playing against a Malaysian XI in the Malaysian capital.
And after seeking advice from various parties, including the Foreign Office, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have decided to cancel their visit to Jakarta.
"Following the explosions in Jakarta - one of which was at the hotel the team were due to stay in - and based on advice received, the directors have informed the Indonesian FA that the club cannot fulfil the fixture in Jakarta on the 2009 Asia tour," read a club statement.
"We are working on a revised itinerary outside Indonesia with the promoters and we will make a further announcement when these decisions have been made.
"We are deeply disappointed at not being able to visit Indonesia and thank the Indonesian FA and our fans for their support.
"Our thoughts go to all those affected by the blasts."
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."
The Indonesian Super League XI, due to face United on July 20, was staying at the Marriott and only missed the explosions because players were training at the time. The team has moved to another hotel.
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