FAM EXCO PREPARED TO RESIGN TO AVOID FIFA SUSPENSION

PETALING JAYA, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- Members of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Executive Committee (Exco) are prepared to resign if it is deemed the best option to save the national governing body from suspension by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

FAM president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said the matter was among issues discussed during a meeting with the Exco here today.

“Today, we called all Exco members to discuss the direction of FAM and it is, of course, related to the statement by AFC general-secretary Datuk Seri Windsor (John)  on the possible suspension of FAM. If that option (to resign) is deemed to be the best course of action, the decision will be made collectively as we stand united as an Exco,” he told reporters after the meeting.

He said the Exco had deliberated on other alternatives to prevent FAM from being suspended, but declined to disclose the proposals.

“We have taken into account the views shared by the Exco today, but no final decision has been made yet. There are two or three options,” he added.

Mohd Yusoff was responding to a news report quoting Windsor as saying that Malaysian clubs and national teams would be barred from international competition if FAM is suspended by FIFA over alleged falsification of documents involving seven heritage players.

FAM had brought the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland after FIFA’s Appeal Committee upheld sanctions against the players and fined FAM, but face the possibility of harsher penalties, including suspension, should CAS rule against the national governing body.

-- BERNAMA