Timor-Leste Situation Different From FAM Case, Says AFC

PETALING JAYA, March 16 (Bernama) -- The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has clarified that the suspension imposed on Timor-Leste cannot be equated with the situation currently faced by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

AFC Secretary-General Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John said the cases were different as the offence committed by Timor-Leste was discovered only after the tournament had concluded and, as such, the sanction was imposed for the subsequent competition.

Meanwhile, he said  the situation involving the national squad occurred in a different context and during a different phase of the competition.

"The Timor-Leste case occurred after the competition had ended. When the offence was discovered, the sanction was imposed going forward, which is why they were not allowed to compete in the next edition.

“This situation is different from a case that occurs while a competition is still ongoing. Therefore, the cases involving Malaysia and Timor-Leste cannot be compared,” he said at a press conference held at the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) headquarters here today.

He said provisions under Article 25 of the AFC Disciplinary Code and Article 56 also do not grant the AFC Disciplinary Committee the authority to impose sanctions beyond the limits set.

The AFC had previously suspended Timor-Leste from participating in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup after the secretary-general of the Football Federation of Timor-Leste (FFTL), Amandio de Araujo, was found to have falsified documents relating to the nationality of the country's players.

According to Windsor, the AFC Disciplinary Committee will decide on or impose sanctions based on the existing regulations, but the party punished has the right to appeal.

"We leave this matter to the Disciplinary Committee to examine the facts. All decisions made by the Disciplinary Committee can be appealed. After the appeal, the case can also be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"So, decisions cannot be made arbitrarily. They must be made according to the powers available. You can only make decisions within the powers that have been granted to you under the disciplinary code. Not more, not less," he said.

In another development, he said FAM is expected to go through a leadership transition phase after the Executive Committee members for the 2025–2029 term of the national governing body resigned in January.

According to him, an extraordinary FAM congress may be held before the 2026 FIFA World Cup or around June, while the elective congress is expected to take place after the tournament, around August or at the latest in September.

-- BERNAMA