On Wednesday, the FAM charged national coach Datuk K. Rajagopal(pic) under Article 88 which is aimed at preventing anyone, including coaches and players, from criticising the governing body.
Readers of The Star Online have spoken and they say that the controversial Article 88 of FAM Statutes should be abolished.
Results of the online poll conducted on the website showed that 91.74% or 3,677 readers said that the rule must go.
Only 1.5% or 60 readers felt that the rule should be maintained, while 6.76% or 271 readers said it should be amended.
Article 88 states – except for routine releases to the press by the President or the General Secretary, no official, coaches of FAM or referee or any Member or Associate Member, or player registered or employed with any Member or Associate Member, unless sanctioned by the Congress shall contribute any article on the management of affairs of FAM, vent grievances, supposed or real or right criticisms hostile to FAM (Member or Associate Member).
On Wednesday, the FAM charged national coach Datuk K. Rajagopal under Article 88 which is aimed at preventing anyone, including coaches and players, from criticising the governing body.
Rajagopal had bemoaned the lack of local strikers in the M-League but his statement was construed as criticism of the national league. He now faces the wrath of the FAM disciplinary committee.
Eight people have so far fallen victim to the article over the last few years – B. Sathianathan (pic)(former national and Kelantan coach, twice), Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (Johor FA president), Che Ku Marzuki (former T-Team coach), Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Perlis FA president), Tan Sri Annuar Musa (FAM deputy president and Kelantan FA president), Abdul Rahman Ibrahim (PKNS coach), Wan Jamak Wan Hassan (former Kedah coach) and Reduan Abdullah (former Felda United coach).
Readers in their comments on the poll, criticised Article 88, calling it a “backward” and “primitive” rule.
“As football is a national affair, critics and opinions by officials should be in the media for public interest,” said reader Mac, while Megat Ibrahim said all those who had been penalised under the ruling had done a lot for Malaysian football.
Vincent-Johor argued that “not all bosses know best” while Tan called for “more credible and talented people to head the body”.
Another reader Syed, said FAM should be more open to criticism as it “helps to build character and innovate new ideas for a better future for Malaysian football.”
As of 6.30pm yesterday, more than 4,000 people had participated in the poll.
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