Tag: FAM

FAM Restructuring A Positive Step, In Line With Fan Demands – Analysts

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 -- The decision by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to carry out a “restructuring exercise” by terminating the contracts of the national team coaching staff yesterday has been described as a very positive step marking a major transformation of the local football landscape. Local sports analyst Zack Rahim said the drastic move is a clear signal that the governing body is now in a phase of large-scale transformation, as long demanded by fans. He stressed that the move has indirectly returned technical authority to FAM, in line with calls from hardcore supporters, including Ultras Malaya, who have long wanted the Harimau Malaya setup to be overhauled. “FAM is undergoing a major transformation, and the termination of contracts is a very positive step, welcomed by me and also the supporters. If we want to reform FAM, let’s reform it from scratch,” he told Bernama today. He also viewed the move as a more efficient financial management strategy through expenditure rationalisation, allowing funds to be redirected towards more critical development programmes. Commenting on the team’s direction ahead of the ASEAN Cup and the FIFA ASEAN Cup, he suggested that FAM should not look for external candidates for now, but instead utilise proven internal expertise. He named National Football Development Programme (NFDP) technical director Datuk Ong Kim Swee as the most ideal individual to take on the interim coaching role, based on his record and extensive experience. He said the reassignment would be the most practical approach as Kim Swee is already within the system, while also taking into account FAM’s administrative constraints in offering new contracts before the formation of a permanent leadership line-up. “Not a new contract. He remains under his NFDP director contract but is reassigned to gather players while waiting for September to appoint a new FAM committee. That’s the only option I see available,” he said. Meanwhile, local football observer Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli also agreed, describing the decision as a “timely and appropriate” move to realign the management structure with recommendations from the Asian Football Confederation. He also said the absence of a permanent head coach at this stage would allow local players to demonstrate their inner strength in restoring the team’s image and rebuilding fans’ trust, which has been damaged by various issues. “Right now we want to see our players... whether they have the high awareness to restore the image... strong determination to dispel the perception that local players cannot perform,” he said. Previously, FAM confirmed that the contract of National Team CEO Robert Douglas Friend, or Rob Friend, was terminated by mutual consent effective June 1. The contract of Cklamovski, along with two senior technical staff members Matthew Smith and Seiya Imazaki, was also terminated by mutual consent effective June 16. FAM also said the contracts of coach Nafuzi Zain and U-23 national team goalkeeping coach Mohd Yazid Mohd Yassin were terminated by mutual consent effective June 15. — BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — The decision by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to carry out a “restructuring exercise” by terminating the contracts of the national team coaching staff yesterday has been described as a very positive step marking a major transformation of the local football landscape. Local sports analyst Zack Rahim said the […]

Malaysia drops 17 places to 138th in the world

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia's position has plummeted from 121st to 138th in the world in the latest rankings released by the International Football Federation (FIFA). Based on today's latest update, Harimau Malaya, who collected 1,086.22 total points, fell 17 places following a 1-3 defeat to Vietnam in the final Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, yesterday. The sudden decline was also influenced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) decision to cancel Harimau Malaya's two matches in the previous qualifying campaign against Nepal and Vietnam. Based on the original results, Malaysia beat Nepal 2-0 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on March 25 last year, in addition to thrashing Vietnam 4-0 at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, on June 10 last year. However, on March 17, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee decided that Malaysia would be declared a 0-3 loser for both matches after Harimau Malaya were found to have fielded ineligible players. The move was made following the document falsification issue involving seven Harimau Malaya players, namely Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s position has plummeted from 121st to 138th in the world in the latest rankings released by the International Football Federation (FIFA). Based on today’s latest update, Harimau Malaya, who collected 1,086.22 total points, fell 17 places following a 1-3 defeat to Vietnam in the final Group F match of the 2027 […]

Four M-League Players Suspended 12 Months After CAS Decision – MFL

The Malaysian Football League (MFL) confirmed that it had received an official notification from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) yesterday regarding the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision on the appeal of the case of seven heritage players. The notification stated that the seven players remain suspended for 12 months, but this only […]

FAM Views CAS Decision As Disproportionate

KUALA LUMPUR, — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) considers the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision involving seven national players as disproportionate, although it respects the jurisdiction of the world’s highest sports tribunal. The national governing body confirmed it has received the operative part of the CAS decision regarding appeals filed by both […]