AFC dismisses alleged plan to take over FAM

 

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has dismissed claims that it is setting up an interim body to manage the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) amid reports that its top leadership will resign en masse on Jan 28, according to a report.

The report by Free Malaysia Today quoted AFC general secretary Windsor John telling the portal that the claims are “not true”.

It also quoted FAM acting president Yusoff Mahadi saying that he has no information on the purported plan for the AFC to step in, as reported in an Utusan Malaysia article this morning.

Acting FAM president Yusoff Mahadi

“FAM’s executive committee is meeting on Jan 28 to finalise a decision on whether we should step down,” Yusoff told FMT.

“I think if we decide to step down, then AFC might get involved (in FAM’s administration). I am not sure if we will approach them to set up an interim committee, or if they will approach us to do so.

“We will know what to do after Jan 28. We want the best for FAM and Malaysian football,” he reportedly said.

‘Self-correction’

Yesterday, New Straits Times quoted an unnamed source close to FAM claiming that its executive committee is expected to resign en masse on Jan 28, in a bid to prevent a full takeover by a normalisation committee appointed by the International Association Football Federation (Fifa).

“The goal is to show Fifa and the AFC that FAM is capable of self-correction.

“If the exco stays and a suspension is imposed, FAM loses all control. By resigning now, they are effectively hitting the reset button on their own terms,” the source reportedly said.

Seven ‘heritage’ players at the centre of a citizenship row

The report came amid a credibility crisis surrounding FAM over a citizenship scandal, which saw seven foreign-born footballers granted citizenship under the guise of having long-lost Malaysian heritage.

Earlier today, Utusan Malaysia quoted an unnamed source that the AFC will take over FAM’s administration “within a few hours” of the supposed mass resignation, and the matter was discussed at a meeting last week.

The interim committee under AFC would supposedly manage FAM’s affairs until an election could be held. - Mkini