FAM stands by MFL as M-League administrator

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) today stated its firm stand in upholding the principle that the Malaysian League (M-League) must be administered by the Malaysian Football League (MFL).

FAM deputy president, Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, in a statement today said the privatisation of the M-League had been agreed to by all the coalition members of FAM for the setting up of Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) in 2015 before it was conducted fully professionally from 2016.

He said the organisations of the domestic league handled by the independent body professionally also was in line with the desire of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

‘’The independent administering body for the domestic leagues was set up not only to fulfill the requirement of AFC, in fact, it is also the evolution of professional football which we can see worldwide currently.

‘’FAM surely has no desire to take a step backward by managing the M-League and hereby still adheres to the principle that the MFL must administer the leagues and FAM must give full support to MFL,’’ he said as quoted in the statement.

Yesterday, Sabah Football Association (SAFA) acting president, Datuk Peter Anthony was of the opinion that FAM should be given full power in handling the management of national football.

The statement was made after MFL announced a punishment of 50 per cent deduction of annual grant and player transfer curb on seven M-League teams on Monday.

Meanwhile, Mohd Yusoff said all actions taken by MFL were to boost the level of professionalism to ensure the M-League achieved the level stipulated by AFC.

‘’Definitely, in heading towards professionalism to ensure the M-League achieved a level fixed by AFC, at times MFL is forced to make several stringent decisions which are indeed not popular among the teams whereby there would be differences of opinions and views because each has his own opinion and view,’’ he said.

In the meantime, Mohd Yusoff said FAM was always ready to meet any coalition members to become the go between to connect MFL to coalition members to ensure issues between all involved parties could be solved amiably.

‘’The journey towards professionalism is not easy but FAM still gives support and is confident in MFL’s highest management to run the Malaysian league professionally since it was set up four years ago,’’ he added.

-- BERNAMA