KUALA LUMPUR: The Shah Alam Stadium can be used for Selangor to play their Super League matches there.
This was stated yesterday by Darul Ehsan Facilities Management (DEFM), manager of the Shah Alam Stadium.
DEFM said the state-owned Shah Alam Stadium is safe and it has no reservations about it being Selangor's home venue for this year’s M-League which kicks off on Feb 28.
Earlier there were doubts about Shah Alam Stadium being used as a venue by the Red Giants following some “advice” to the FA of Selangor (FAS) by the Malaysian Football League (MFL), the administrator of the M-League.
MFL was reported to have advised the FAS on the need for repairs and
upgrade to the stadium’s roof and its field before next week's deadline.
However, DEFM said it was surprised by the MFL's statement as the former is aware of the MFL’s “advice” about the playing pitch’s surface and the stadium’s dressing rooms, but not its roof, said DEFM business development manager, Fahmi Mohd Nordin.
Fahmi said the stories about shards of polycarbonate from the stadium's roof falling onto the pitch and seating areas were greatly exaggerated.
“So far, we've used the stadium for a few events and there hasn't been any issues. During the full capacity match between Selangor and JDT, there wasn’t any safety issue concerning the roof,”
he said.
“There were comments (about the roof) but like I said, the weight isn't dangerous because it's polycarbonate.”
Fahmi, who said the fans shouldn't be concerned, said DEFM also plan to make more improvements to the stadium.
The Shah Alam Stadium, which was built in 1994, is the second biggest stadium in Malaysia. It has hosted teams like Bayern Munich, Leeds United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur.
It was also the venue for the 1997 World Youth Cup which saw Argentina emerge as champions after defeating Uruguay 2-1 in the final.