'I don't think resignation alone can fix this'

 

Football critic Datuk Pekan Ramli. - FILE pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Football critic Datuk Pekan Ramli said FAM's executive committee mass resignation must result in genuine internal reforms, and warned that the move could be perceived as mere "drama" if not followed by concrete changes.

Recently, the entire FAM exco for the 2025–2029 term resigned after just 11 months in office following sanctions by FIFA over document falsification by seven heritage players.

Pekan said there should be at least a one-term cooling-off period before the resigned exco members are allowed to return and contest in FAM elections.

He asked how FIFA would perceive it if FAM merely staged a superficial overhaul instead of implementing meaningful reforms.

"If these exco members return after the congress, what signal would that send to FIFA? This could just end up being drama to fool FIFA, and I don't think the world body would be okay with it," said Pekan.

"We need to understand whether the mass exco resignation is the answer FIFA is looking for in the document falsification scandal. Is this resignation really the fix that FIFA wants? A massive scandal involving players' documentation has been committed, and I don't think resignation alone can fix this."

"FIFA has said that the documentation of seven players was falsified, and they want FAM's governance to be reviewed so that this does not happen again, and for the culprits to be identified and action taken."

FAM will be assisted by an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) special team, together with consultants, to carry out a detailed assessment before submitting a final report to FAM.

"FAM's election statutes seem to limit opportunities for outsiders to join and contribute. Only affiliates have the power to choose, and often it looks like the voting is pre-arranged.

"The AFC special team needs to look at these regressive statutes and make recommendations to be endorsed at the congress." - NST