The Football Association of Malaysia risks facing sanctions by the Asian Football Confederation if the Manchester United friendly against the Malaysian Selection goes ahead as scheduled on 27 July. 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. 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.
“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,” he said as quoted by The Star.
“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.
“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,” he said as quoted by The Star.