Expert: Malaysian football could collapse completely

The press conference on the case of 7 fraudulently naturalized players held by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on October 17 only seemed to make them lose more points in the eyes of public opinion.

From left: FAM Vice President Datuk S. Sivasundaram, team CEO Rob Friend and lawyer Serge Vittoz attend the press conference on October 17 - Photo: NST

On October 17, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) held a press conference to inform about the case of 7 players who were illegally naturalized. Although they provided basic information, the heads of this agency avoided complex questions that required a high level of expertise.

FAM continues to affirm that they did not falsify the documents of the 7 naturalized players banned by FIFA. This was just a matter of negligence in data entry, leading to misunderstanding between the parties.

"We are not hiding anything. An independent agency will examine each file, each step of the player registration process. Those responsible will face the consequences," said Datuk S. Sivasundaram, vice-president of FAM.

However, FAM did not specify who would be in charge of the above "independent agency". New Straits Times, a major Malaysian newspaper, even had to ask: "FAM's press conference left more questions than answers".

Experts also believe that Malaysian football officials are showing a lack of transparency despite insisting that they "are not hiding anything". Even in the press conference, the Malaysian team's CEO Rob Friend "kicked the ball of responsibility" back to FAM.

He affirmed that his job as well as the team's management board's is only to ensure technical and competitive aspects. As for paperwork, procedures, and player registration, it is entirely the responsibility of the federation.

In theory, Rob Friend is not wrong about his functions and powers. But his statement at this sensitive press conference unintentionally caused more public uproar.

The naturalization scandal has resulted in the indefinite suspension of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general, Datuk Noor Azman Rahman. Previously, the current president, Datuk Joehari Ayub, also unexpectedly resigned, forcing FAM to be run by an interim leader, Mohd Yusoff Mahadi.

Football expert Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli commented after the recent controversial press conference that: "The current situation could cause FAM to collapse completely. They are being run by an acting president who does not have 100% real executive power. The position of secretary general, whose role is to maintain continuity and professionalism, is also vacant. FAM is at risk of operating ineffectively, losing credibility and even collapsing its public image domestically and internationally."

Mr. Ramli also commented that the FAM press conference should have reassured the public and proposed a solution. However, in the end, it only brought more confusion.

"The appointed officials should have been prepared to answer questions clearly and confidently. On the contrary, they were completely passive and confused," expert Ramli commented.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chuyen-gia-bong-da-malaysia-co-the-sup-do-hoan-toan-20251019111053711.htm