Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail. - THE STAR/LOW LAY PHOON
PETALING JAYA: Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail is prepared to take full responsibility following the suspension of seven heritage players by the International Football Federation (FIFA).
During a special press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Tunku Mahkota Ismail stressed that criticism from a section of local football fans had never dampened his spirit or his desire to continue contributing to the development of Malaysian football.
“I’ve been blamed in football for a long time, for 13 years now. This is nothing new to me,” he said at the press conference on Saturday (Oct 25).
“The criticism doesn’t affect my spirit. Over the past 13 years, I’ve been through all sorts of things in football, but it has never broken my motivation. I just want to see the sport continue to grow.
“If blaming me for the issue involving the seven heritage players helps you sleep better at night, I accept it with an open heart,” said Tunku Mahkota Ismail.
