KUALA LUMPUR, May 7: Manchester United are being disrespectful to Asian soccer by organising a tour of the continent that clashes with July's Asian Cup, the region's top official said on Monday.

The English champions' plans to play in Malaysia on July 27, just two days before the Asian Cup final in Jakarta, show no solidarity to Asian soccer organisers, Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam told reporters.

“The message is, 'cancel your tour',” Bin Hammam said on the eve of the AFC's annual congress.

“It is disrespectful to us and shows no solidarity within the football world.“Asia is giving them (United) so much money during the Premier League season, but this one month every four years they cannot afford to play?

“'Cancel your tour'. That is the message from all the teams, coaches and players in Asia.”

The nine-time Premier League champions are also scheduled to play matches in Japan, South Korea and China as part of their preparations for next season.

Bin Hammam said the AFC have FIFA president Sepp Blatter's backing in the matter and that they have contacted the Premier League, although not United themselves.

“We played the game, if you like. We agreed to stage the Asian Cup in July so that it did not clash with any European leagues and they would not have to release any Asian players,” he added.

“These big teams are welcome to come to Asia – they can bring much that we need and I welcome them before the Asian Cup and after, but not during our biggest tournament.

“Whenever Manchester United play the television companies and sponsors are going to pay for that. We cannot compete with that.

“To come to Asia at this time is not fair play at all.”

The July 7-29 Asian Cup is being co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.

The AFC and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) signed an Organising Association Agreement in November, under which the Malaysians were to guarantee the Asian Cup would not be battling for publicity with other football events.

Bin Hammam said the terms of the agreement were from 10 days before the Asian Cup to three days afterwards.

“We tried to prevent this earlier. The (organisers agreement) was signed that they cannot organise or promote any other football event.”

Bin Hammam said it was out of the question that Malaysia would be stripped of their co-hosts status and would not speculate what punishment could be meted out to the FAM if United's tour goes ahead.

FAM president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said last month that Malaysia's Asian Cup responsibilities ended on July 25, when they host one of the semi-finals. United's match is two days later and so there is no conflict.

“There won't be a clash and furthermore, the Manchester United tour is part of Visit Malaysia Year and Malaysia's 50th year of independence,” Shah said.—Reuters