Chelsea Coach's Visit To Malaysia: Najib To Study Situation First

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he would study the situation concerning the travel ban on English Premier League team Chelsea coach-cum-manager Avram Grant, who is an Israeli.

Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Najib said it would be a pity that politics got in the way of sports.

"Yes, there is a travel ban but I'm not sure what will the decision be yet.

"We'll see. I have to study the situation first and I would like to see Chelsea although it's not my team," the ardent Manchester United fan told reporters after Dayang Enterprise Holdings Berhad's prospectus launch in conjunction with its listing on Bursa Malaysia's main board here Monday.

Malaysian football fans will be able to watch a star-studded Chelsea football team play a Malaysian selection here on July 29 as part of their pre-season tour of Asia.

Chelsea Football Club's chief executive Peter Kenyon was quoted as saying that all the star players in the team, including new signings, would be available for the tour which would also include a match against the Chinese national team in China on July 23.

Najib said the Chelsea tour here would definitely be good for local football.

Chelsea, winners of the English Premier League title in 2004/2005 and 2005/2006, League Cup in 2005 and 2007 plus the FA Cup last year, are still in the Premier League title chase but trailing last season's champions Manchester United.

-- BERNAMA