FAM exco to quit after Jan 28 meeting?

PETALING JAYA - Talk is rife that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) could see all their executive committee members resign after the exco meeting at their headquarters on Wednesday (Jan 28).

It is speculated that the move could be to ensure that there is no normalisation done by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) amid the scandal that broke out last year after seven so-called "mixed-heritage players" were suspended over forged documents.

FAM acting president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi, however, was non-committal when asked about the issue.

"Wait and see tomorrow. We haven't even convened a meeting yet. If you have any questions or queries, you can ask them after our meeting. There could be a press conference tomorrow," he said on Tuesday (Jan 27).

When pressed as to what could happen to FAM if everyone resigns, especially regarding day-to-day affairs and financial clearances, Yusoff remained silent.

"Until there is a final decision, ask whatever you want to ask," he added.

As for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) granting a stay of execution to the players concerned – Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel – Yusoff said he was updated on the matter by his secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman.

Many have questioned why statements only came from FAM whereas there has been no official communication from CAS, but Yusoff said he is receiving information from his side and would update the public from time to time.

"As for the CAS updates, I have been getting them from the secretary-general. We will release more updates soon." - THE STAR