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Tuesday May 15, 2007

TM and FAM ready to face the music

PETALING JAYA: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) are courting trouble and risk facing sanctions by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) if the Manchester United friendly against the Malaysian Selection goes ahead as scheduled in Kuala Lumpur on July 27.

Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, the deputy president of FAM, admitted that they have put themselves in a tight spot.

In fact, he himself will be facing a tough question. He is, after all, an AFC vice-president and he will be going against the decision of the AFC Congress that was made on Tuesday.

“Personally, it is tough on me and everything is on me now ... I am also on the chopping block, I guess, but I hope not. I will answer that question when we come to the bridge ... I might be out of the job,” he laughed.

Last week, FIFA president Sepp Blatter and AFC president Mohamed Hammam asked the AFC Congress to withdraw support for United’s tour of Asia during the July 7-29 Asian Cup.

The Red Devils are due to play in Kuala Lumpur two days before the Asian Cup final in Jakarta. The AFC and FAM signed an agreement last year barring the promotion of any other football events during the Asian Cup.

The promoter, ProEvents, had planned to kick off United’s tour against J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds on July 17 in Japan, followed by FC Seoul (July 20) in South Korea, and Shenzhen FC (July 23) in Macau before the final stop against a Malaysian XI on July 27.

“FAM could be isolated ... there are consequences and there will be consequences but we will try to consult again and appeal to the AFC, hoping for some flexibility. It is not only the FAM’s future here ... it involves the people and the government,” he said. “We would like AFC to re-consider. Every agreement can be negotiated.

“To be honest we have liaised with AFC twice even before the statement made by the Prime Minister (on Friday). But, both our appeals have been shot down. We don’t want to talk about the consequences ... we are celebrating our 50th year of celebration. Let us celebrate first.”

Clare Kenny Tipton, AFC assistant general secretary and director of marketing and media communications said from Beijing yesterday that she was aware of FAM’s decision and added that AFC would issue an official statement in the next 24 hours.

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