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KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 -- The decision by Selangor FC chief executive officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon to voice his views outside official channels has raised questions and could potentially spark polemics within the local football ecosystem, according to a veteran football administrator. Former acting president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, said the move was puzzling, given that Johan is not new to the country’s football administrative system. He said official platforms, such as meetings of the Malaysian Football League (MFL) board of directors and the MFL Congress, should be fully utilised if there is a genuine intention to improve the situation. “When one chooses to speak outside, it is no longer merely a professional view, but opens the door to various perceptions,” he said in a statement today. At the same time, Mohd Yusoff described the timing of the remarks as odd, raising speculation about the possibility of certain interests being at play. He did not rule out the possibility that the move carried an underlying intent, including an attempt to divert attention from internal weaknesses that have yet to be comprehensively addressed. He said criticising the league via external platforms could also be seen as an effort to exert indirect pressure on the MFL, while shaping a particular narrative. “There is a tendency to build momentum from the outside, dragging in other parties. This is no longer a routine critique. Its impact risks causing division and undermining the stability of the league,” he said. As such, Mohd Yusoff stressed that any effort to improve national football must be carried out professionally through proper channels, rather than through open statements that may raise more questions than solutions. Recently, Johan called for serious discussions to be held, including the possibility of organising a roundtable session involving all stakeholders of the M-League, particularly in light of the increasingly worrying financial situation among most teams. Johor Darul Ta'zim, Negeri Sembilan FC, Terengganu FC, Penang FC and Sabah FC are among the clubs that support the proposal to hold the roundtable session. Among the recurring issues affecting the M-League are delays in the payment of salaries to players and team officials by several clubs, as well as the challenge of rising operational costs, further exacerbated by the impact of ongoing tensions in West Asia.

Johan’s Statement Risks Sparking Controversy – Mohd Yusoff

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 — The decision by Selangor FC chief executive officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon to voice his views outside official channels has raised questions and could potentially .... read more

MEXICO CITY: The International Football Federation (FIFA) has decided not to move a World Cup match involving the Iranian team from the United States (US) to Mexico, despite the conflict in West Asia. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this on Friday in a press conference, according to a report by the German News Agency (dpa). Iran has requested not to play in three group stage matches in the US following the US and Israeli attacks on Feb 28. Although the fighting has been halted by a fragile ceasefire, Washington has warned of further attacks. "FIFA ultimately decided that the match could not be moved from the original venue," Sheinbaum said. According to him, from FIFA's perspective, the move would involve "a very large logistical effort." World football's governing body had previously expressed doubts about Iran's request to move matches against Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt at the World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in the US, Mexico and Canada. FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously insisted that Iran should continue to participate despite tense relations between Tehran and Washington. "We want Iran to play and Iran will play in the World Cup. There is no Plan B, C or D – there is only Plan A," Infantino told Mexican broadcaster N+ Univision two weeks ago. Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj recently stated that the team was boycotting the US, but not the World Cup, without elaborating on the details, the state news agency IRNA reported. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump described Iran's involvement as "inappropriate" due to "their own lives and safety." Amid a ceasefire that began Tuesday, talks between the US and Iran for a lasting peace settlement are scheduled to take place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on Friday. Iran has previously launched retaliatory strikes after attacks by the US and Israel, including targeting Gulf countries and closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.

World Cup: FIFA rejects Iran’s request to move match to Mexico

MEXICO CITY: The International Football Federation (FIFA) has decided not to move a World Cup match involving the Iranian team from the United States (US) to Mexico, despite the conflict .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) aims to hold a roundtable meeting involving all chief executive officers (CEOs) of Malaysian League (M-League) clubs and relevant stakeholders in the near future. MFL CEO Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd said previous plans were delayed due to several unavoidable circumstances. He, however, said the MFL remained open to suggestions and views submitted by clubs to discuss the direction and resolution of current issues in the league. "Actually, we already had plans to meet with the CEOs of this club. However, as everyone knows, several things are happening that have caused it to be postponed." "...but, when there are requests and views from the club, we are very open. God willing, MFL will hold a meeting with all the CEOs of this club, including shareholders and board members in the near future," he said when met after the collaboration ceremony between Konami and MFL here today. Mohd Shazli said his party is currently examining the suitability of the date to ensure that the attendance of all stakeholders can be well coordinated. He expects the meeting to be realized before the end of April. Meanwhile, Mohd Shazli, when commenting on the notion that the proposal to hold a roundtable meeting depicted the M-League being in a dire situation, stressed that the actual situation was not like that. He said the implementation of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) Regulations, which is now entering its first year, still needs time to show its overall impact on the stability of the league. "La Liga (Spanish League) took five years to really stabilize their league, while we are only in the first year and the process is still ongoing. However, we can already see many positive developments as a result of the implementation of this FFP. "So, for me at the MFL, we do not see this situation as dire or that the league is heading towards decline. On the contrary, this meeting is a good platform for us to hear the voices of the clubs and subsequently improve the matters raised," he said. Recently, several clubs have called for serious discussions to be held, including the possibility of organising a roundtable session involving all M-League stakeholders, especially following the increasingly worrying financial situation among most teams. Selangor FC, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Negeri Sembilan FC, Terengganu FC, Penang FC and Sabah FC are among the clubs that support the proposal to hold the roundtable session. Among the recurring issues affecting the M-League are the delays in paying salaries to players and team officials by several clubs, as well as the challenge of increasing operating costs, exacerbated by the effects of ongoing tensions in West Asia.

MFL plans roundtable meeting with all M-League club CEOs

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) aims to hold a roundtable meeting involving all chief executive officers (CEOs) of Malaysian League (M-League) clubs and relevant stakeholders in the near .... read more

KUALA NERUS: Terengganu Football Club Sdn Bhd (TFCSB) today announced the resignation of c as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Terengganu FC (TFC) team effective April 1. TFCSB, through a media statement today, announced that Sheikh Farouk had played an important role in strengthening management and contributing to the overall development of TFC throughout his term of service starting in August last year. The statement stated that all of Sheikh Farouk's efforts and contributions are greatly appreciated and will always be remembered by club members and TFC supporters. "The club wishes him continued success in whatever field he ventures into. Hopefully all the experience gained with TFC will be a valuable asset for him to continue moving forward," the statement said. In the same statement, Sheikh Farouk said he appreciated the support given and wished continued success for the Turtle Squad.

TFC CEO Sheikh Farouk resigns

KUALA NERUS: Terengganu Football Club Sdn Bhd (TFCSB) today announced the resignation of c as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Terengganu FC (TFC) team effective April 1. TFCSB, through .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 -- Compound archer Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh hopes that the national women’s compound squad will be sent to compete at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, which is scheduled to take place from Sep 19 to Oct 4. She said that in various archery competitions this year, her focus is on competing at the Asian Games, which is one of the most important tournaments for her this season. However, the 35-year-old revealed that so far, there has been no official decision regarding the participation of the women’s compound squad in the quadrennial sporting event. “The biggest target this year should be the Asian Games, but for the women’s compound team it is still 50-50. I have not received confirmation that the women’s compound team will be sent. “I hope that with our recent achievements (2026 Asia Cup Archery Championship), we will be given the opportunity to go to the Asian Games. If not, it’s okay, we will just compete in domestic-level tournaments,” she said when contacted by Bernama recently. At the 2026 Asia Cup (Stage 1) Archery Championship in Bangkok, Thailand last month, Fatin Nurfatehah won three medals - two silvers in the women’s compound individual and mixed team events alongside partner Mohd Juwaidi Marzuki, as well as one bronze in the women’s compound team event. The national women’s team was made up of Fatin Nurfatehah, Aina Syazwana Abdul Muhaimin, and Ng Sui Kim. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Fatin Nurfatehah was eliminated in the second round of the individual event, while in the mixed team event the national squad advanced to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Malaysia did not send a team for the women’s team event. Meanwhile, Fatin Nurfatehah, who won a mixed team bronze medal at the 2023 World Cup in Antalya, Turkiye, believes that exposure to international-level competitions is the key factor that differentiates the performance of national athletes from their rivals. According to her, to compete at the highest level, more frequent participation in overseas tournaments can strengthen mental preparation in facing pressure and the intensity of competition. “Our opponents take part in more competitions than we do. When you compete more frequently, your experience increases, and in terms of mental and psychological readiness, they are also better prepared because they are exposed to more major tournaments. “I think the most important thing for an archer to perform at their best is thorough preparation in terms of both physical and mental aspects. When the preparation is sufficient and we step into competition, insya-Allah, we will be able to give our best,” said the athlete from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Fatin Nurfatehah and her teammates are scheduled to compete in the 2026 World Cup (Stage 2) in Shanghai, China from May 5 to 10.

Fatin Nurfatehah Hopes Women’s Compound Squad Gets Nod For 2026 Asian Games

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — Compound archer Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh hopes that the national women’s compound squad will be sent to compete at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, .... read more

KOTA BHARU: A total of 320 athletes and 30 coaches who will represent Kelantan at the 22nd Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor, completed a self-motivation camp last Saturday. Kelantan State Sports Council Assistant Sports Officer Muhammad Aiman ​​Hakim Amir said the motivational camp, which lasted for three days starting on April 2, was his party's preparation for the athletes to face the biennial games. "This motivational camp is our initiative to build cooperation between athletes, coaches and management, as well as to build self-confidence and high discipline among those involved. "In fact, the filling of this camp also involves psychology, motivation and anti-doping slots for athletes," he said when contacted by Bernama today. Muhammad Aiman ​​Hakim said that all athletes participating in the camp not only need to prepare with physical and tactical training, but mental and emotional preparation is also given focus, especially when facing challenges from athletes from other states. "This camp can indirectly foster a high fighting spirit to achieve the medal targets set by the respective sports management," he said, adding that the Kelantan contingent will participate in 30 types of sports this time. Among the sports are athletics, swimming, netball, weightlifting, Muay Thai, badminton, futsal and archery. Asked about the medal target for this year's games, he said the management had not yet officially announced it due to several factors. SUKMA 2026 will take place from August 15 to 24 with the opening ceremony at the Sepang International Circuit, while the Para SUKMA Games will begin from September 5 to 10. A total of 474 events from 37 sports were contested in nine districts involving 52 competition venues, while the Para SUKMA held in Petaling and Klang involved 10 sports and 316 events.

320 Kelantan athletes complete motivational camp ahead of SUKMA Selangor 2026

KOTA BHARU: A total of 320 athletes and 30 coaches who will represent Kelantan at the 22nd Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor, completed a self-motivation camp last Saturday. Kelantan State .... read more

Pro Bowlers Association’s “PBA USA vs. The World” to air live on CBS and Paramount+ Saturday, April 4 at 2p ET

RICHMOND, Va., April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This Saturday, April 4, the premier Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) international team competition, PBA USA vs. The World, will be nationally televised live .... read more

Marriott Bonvoy Returns as an Official Partner of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2026

HONG KONG, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel platform, today announced a renewed partnership with Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) to serve as an Official .... read more

Team Alive-Rampage, Seawolf to return for next Rolex China Sea Race

HONG KONG, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Asia’s premier offshore event, the 2026 Rolex China Sea Race, a 565nm Cat 1 race to the Philippines, concluded successfully after starting from .... read more

Tradeify Joins Forces With Cricket Superstar Travis Head

HYDERABAD, India, LONDON, and ADELAIDE, Australia, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tradeify, the global trader evaluation platform, is thrilled to announce a long-term partnership with Australian cricket star Travis Head, .... read more