FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Sultan Ahmad Shah yesterday voiced his displeasure over Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin's criticism of the national body's handling of the FA Cup semi-final second leg debacle.
Khairy had criticised the FAM's decision to move the match, which was called off due to crowd trouble at Darulmakmur Stadium last Tuesday, to National Stadium yesterday, and claimed it was unfair as it was still hosted by the Pahang FA (PFA).
The match between Pahang and Johor's Darul Takzim could not be held on Tuesday after spectators spilled onto the tracks.
This has led to FAM fining PFA RM100,000 fine and rescheduling the match at the "neutral venue" of the national stadium.
But the match was rescheduled to the National Stadium yesterday with an allocation of 80,000 tickets, which raised Khairy's suspicion of the FAM's handling of the affair.
"I have nothing to do with this. The decision was made by the FAM domestic competitions committee.
"If it was the PFA or my own decision, for sure I would want the match to be held again in Kuantan with increased security," said Sultan Ahmad Shah yesterday.
"But because there was an unwanted incident on Tuesday, I had instructed the domestic competitions committee to study the matter in order to reschedule the match as soon as possible.
"And upon deliberation, the committee decided to hold the match at a neutral venue.
"Maybe because I am the Sultan of Pahang, it was seen as unfair.
"I have no power and the decision was made by the committee.
"As FAM president, I am disappointed with Khairy's statement.
"Such a statement, which implied that the FAM showed favouritism, should not have been made by a responsible and well educated person like him.
Sultan Ahmad Shah was speaking after chairing the security committee meeting at the National Stadium yesterday.
FAM domestic competitions committee chairman Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin described the issue raised by Khairy as too subjective, citing the availability of 80,000 tickets for yesterday's match did not necessarily mean a handsome return for PFA.
Khairy had questioned the FAM's decision to fine the PFA RM100,000, while allowing it to gain more than that by hosting the match at National Stadium with 80,000 tickets allocated at RM15 each for adults.
- New Straits Times
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