League One side Millwall's future at The Den "looks secure" after Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock called for an end to the compulsory purchase of land surrounding the ground. The club admitted it could be "forced out" of its southeast London home "should Lewisham Council go ahead with a plan to purchase areas around The Den." Amid "fierce public pressure," Bullock said that the compulsory purchase order on Millwall's land "should not proceed" (SKY SPORTS, 1/25). The club said in a statement, "Millwall Football Club welcomes the two announcements today from the Mayor of Lewisham and his Cabinet members that the CPO process should not proceed. ... Today's statements are not formal announcements by Lewisham Council. ... We hope that they will become formal Council policy, but until the Council makes its position unambiguously clear, we cannot be sure. ... We call on the Council as a matter of urgency to make a formal announcement and to confirm that the CPO process has not just been suspended but formally withdrawn" (Millwall).
Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association Chair Kwan Kee, in a "strongly worded letter to the government," said that demolishing the Wan Chai Sports Ground "would have a devastating long-term effect on athletics." Kwan also said that the government "would be reneging on an assurance" that the facility would not be taken unless there was a "suitable and comparable venue to replace it." Kwan was reacting to an announcement in CEO Leung Chun-ying’s Policy Address last week that, given its proximity to the Convention and Exhibition Centre, "plans were afoot to comprehensively redevelop the stadium" in '19, removing the track (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 1/25).
Arsenal fans have been asked to complete an online survey by a supporters' group, "with regards to the possible introduction of safe standing at the Emirates." The Arsenal Supporters' Trust held an open meeting on the subject on Monday night, "with members of the Football Supporters' Federation and English Football League in attendance." There have been "calls from across the Premier League to re-introduce standing areas." ManU fans "will also broach the subject with their club after an announcement, on reducing the capacity at Old Trafford to comply with accessibility guidelines, was made on Tuesday" (SKY SPORTS, 1/25).
Indonesian FA (PSSI) Chair Edy Rahmayadi "expressed his intention to build at least one international standard stadium in every province." The meeting, led by President Joko Widodo, was "held to discuss Indonesian football development strategies, aimed at improving the country's performance in Asia and on an international level." Edy said that Widodo "ordered stakeholders to help the PSSI increase the number of players and coaches to improve infrastructure" (JAKARTA GLOBE, 1/25).
