RESIGNING FROM FAM POSTS A NECESSARY MOVE - FOOTBALL OBSERVER

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has been advised to take comprehensive steps to defuse the polemics currently plaguing the country's football arena, including considering resigning from positions in the governing body.

Local football observer Datuk Richard Scully said the move, which is described as a major decision, should be respected for the sake of the sport as a whole.

"A decision that should be respected and I think something needs to be done to defuse the current atmosphere.

"It's bittersweet. We're not talking about individuals, but a comprehensive approach needs to be taken if that's the best way forward. I am not sure, but I was informed that this may happen next week,” he said when met here, today.

He hopes that all related matters can be simplified for the future of national football, especially involving those at the grassroots level and local clubs.

“I am worried that the situation will reach the lower levels,” he said.

The crisis that is currently plaguing FAM began in September last year after the International Football Association Board (FIFA) confirmed that the association and seven players, namely Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel, were found to have violated Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).

The investigation found that FAM submitted documents believed to be forged to confirm the eligibility of the seven players, thus allowing them to play in the 4-0 win over Vietnam in Group F of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers here, in June last year.

As a result, FAM was ordered to pay a fine of CHF350,000 (about RM1.8 million), while each player was fined CHF2,000 (about RM11,000) and all of them were suspended from any football-related activity for 12 months.

FAM is now awaiting the outcome of an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the FIFA Appeal Committee rejected the appeal submitted by FAM and the seven players in question, thus upholding the Disciplinary Committee's decision regarding a serious breach of Article 22 of the FDC.

The issue of forged documents has damaged FAM's image and eroded supporters' trust in the governing body, thus sparking calls for the FAM leadership to resign.

-- BERNAMA