TMJ vows to 'kick' politicians out of Malaysian football

KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has pledged to save Malaysian football and "ensure that FAM is not used for political mileage."

In a two-hour meet-the-fan session at a hotel here on Wednesday, Tunku Ismail vowed that he would completely overhaul the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), which he said has been in the doldrums for three decades.

Tunku Ismail is contesting the FAM president's post on March 25 with former Kelantan FA president Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

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He said his main task "is to change the structure of the national body."

“I want to make sure that the problems in FAM - mismanagement of funds, lack of professionalism, lack of passion, corruption and favouritism - will be corrected,” he said.

Asked of his decision in making a U-turn to contest for the No. 1 post, Tunku Ismail said he was afraid that football would fall into the hands of people who would use it for political ambitions.

“I don’t want FAM to be used for political mileage. I don’t want FAM to be used as a financial hub to distribute money for political campaigns and I don’t want people to be there for their own agenda”.