Array
(
    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1696916509:21
        )

    [tdc_dirty_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [tdc_icon_fonts] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:0:{}
        )

    [_edit_last] => Array
        (
            [0] => 21
        )

    [_post_language] => Array
        (
            [0] => English
        )

    [_molongui_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-99398
        )

    [_molongui_main_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-99398
        )

    [td_post_theme_settings] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:14:"td_primary_cat";s:3:"601";s:11:"td_subtitle";s:87:"With no time to invite a replacement, the tournament is moving forward with three teams";}
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_primary_category] => Array
        (
            [0] => 601
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_metadesc] => Array
        (
            [0] => The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has officially announced Palestine's withdrawal from the upcoming Merdeka Tournament.
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_content_score] => Array
        (
            [0] => 60
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [post_views_count] => Array
        (
            [0] => 350
        )

    [_thumbnail_id] => Array
        (
            [0] => 122857
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_arr] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:7:{i:0;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1749500157";s:5:"count";i:1;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:1:{i:20;i:1;}}i:1;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:2;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:3;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:4;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:5;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:6;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}}
        )

    [post_view_7days_last_day] => Array
        (
            [0] => 0
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_last_date] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1749500157
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_total] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [post_views_last_24_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [post_views_last_48_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

)
Merdeka Tournament has last minute shuffle as Palestine pulls out | Scoop
FAM secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman said the footballing body received a formal letter from the Palestinian Football Association, concerning their withdrawal from the tournament. – Scoop pic, October 10, 2023
Sports

Merdeka Tournament has last minute shuffle as Palestine pulls out

With no time to invite a replacement, the tournament is moving forward with three teams

Main Author Image
Sandru Narayanan
Updated
1:41 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has officially announced Palestine’s withdrawal from the upcoming Merdeka Tournament.

FAM’s secretary-general, Noor Azman Rahman, stated that the footballing body had received a formal letter from the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) regarding the team’s withdrawal from the tournament due to the ongoing and escalating conflict with Israel.

“We received a formal letter from the PFA at 2am this morning, and we had to comply with it.

“The situation in Gaza is worsening, and the letter also mentioned that many of the home-based players were unable to leave their houses due to the violence.

“We pray for the lives lost and hope for peace in Palestine,” Azman said.

Azman also mentioned that the tournament’s format would remain unchanged despite having only three teams participating in this year’s edition.

“Since we had no time to invite an alternative team, we have decided not to make any major changes to the tournament’s format.

“The fixtures will remain the same; it’s just that Tajikistan, who was supposed to play against Palestine in the first semifinal, will automatically qualify to play in the final against the winner of the India vs Malaysia match,” Azman added.

Previously, Lebanon was forced to withdraw from the Merdeka Tournament because Lebanon and Palestine had been drawn into the same group for the 2026 World Cup-2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in November.

Lebanon was quickly replaced by world’s 110th-ranked Tajikistan to participate in the tournament, which is returning after a decade-long absence.

The 42nd edition of the Merdeka Tournament, which is scheduled to take place from October 13-17 is set to be a proving ground for Kim Pan-gon’s Harimau Malaya, who will compete in the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar next year. – October 10, 2023

Topics

 

◉ Popular

From player to mentor: Wee Wern calls time on glittering squash career, takes on coaching challenge

A desire to impart her years of experience to the younger generation has seen former world number five squash player Low Wee Wern make the tough decision to hang up her racquet.

Duck and cover? FashionValet bought Vivy’s 30 Maple for RM95 mil in 2018

Purchase of Duck's holding company which appears to be owned wholly by Datin Vivy Yusof and husband Datuk Fadzarudin Shah Anuar was made same year GLICs invested RM47 mil

No forced eviction of Pasir Panjang Ulu farmers, process was legal: Perak MB

Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the process was carried out legally, adding that MB Inc held a series of direct negotiations with the farm operators since 2021, in addition to offering ex-gratia at a reasonable rate. 

◉ Related

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.