Selangor coach B. Satiananthan will keep his mind clear of all things not directly related to his team’s preparation for the Super League season which kicks off on Feb 28.
This is his stand following the news that Selangor’s home venue, the Shah Alam Stadium, is yet to be approved by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) with only two weeks before kick-off.
“It will be a disadvantage if we can't use our home ground (Shah Alam Stadium) but it's up to the management,” admitted Satiananthan yesterday.
“So far I don't see any other stadiums that can accommodate (Selangor’s home matches) unless we play in the evenings,” he added.
Meanwhile, FA of Selangor (FAS) secretary general Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon has come out to clarify the “home venue” alarm after checking with the MFL, the administrator of the M-League.
“We have spoken to MFL and they informed us that there was a miscommunication. We have received a letter from the MFL stating the ‘suggestions’ that were mentioned earlier,” said Johan.
“However, they (the MFL suggestions) only covered the changing rooms and the pitch’s surface at Shah Alam Stadium but there was no mention of the roof.”
Johan said he had also clarified the matter with worried Selangor fans on the selangorfans_official instagram account where he was quoted as saying: “For now, Shah Alam Stadium hasn't received MFL’s approval but the things that need to be fixed are only the field’s surface and changing rooms.
“The two matters shouldn’t be a problem in the lead-up to the M-League and God willing, Selangor will play at the Shah Alam Stadium as planned. Thank you all for your concerns and suggestions.”
On Saturday, MFL chief operating officer Shazli Shaik Mohd told Timesport that the M-League’s administrator was in the process of venue inspections, and certain venues have been approved.
He said that the teams who have received “advice” from the MFL on the improvements needed, will have to do so before next week’s deadline.