PETALING JAYA: “Let the truth prevail.”
That was the message from the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, on the sanctions imposed on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven heritage players by FIFA.
Al-Sultan Abdullah, who is also the former FAM president, emphasised that the ongoing investigations should be allowed to be carried out in proper course, and those responsible will come out with the truth.
“I don’t think it is necessary for me to comment on this matter because many have already shared their comments,” he said when met at Stadium Merdeka during the Walk with Al-Sultan Abdullah King of Sports event yesterday.
“To be fair, let the process take its course.
“Let the truth prevail.
“Let the truth come out from the responsible parties.”
Al-Sultan Abdullah added that what has happened with the national football team should serve as a valuable lesson to all so that similar mistakes are not repeated.
“Of course, this matter should serve as a reminder for everyone in the future. We must all work to correct the situation for the betterment of Malaysian football.
“We must rise from this uneasiness and challenges currently facing football in the country,” Sultan said.
On Monday, FIFA upheld all sanctions against FAM and seven players – Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel.
FAM were fined 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8mil), while each player received a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs (RM10,400) and a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities.
Meanwhile, the event at Stadium Merdeka, organised by Yayasan Al-Sultan Abdullah (YASA) in partnership with ShekhinahPR, brought together more than 150 invited guests, comprising the country’s sporting legends and former athletes.
Among the attendees were Datuk Leong Mun Yee (diving), Nor Saiful Zaini (hockey), G. Shanti (athletics), Datuk Santokh Singh and Datuk Soh Chin Aun (football), and Datuk Rashid Sidek and Datuk James Selvaraj (badminton).
“We really miss the old-timers. This idea came from me after frequent visits to the mosque next door, Masjid Al-Sultan Abdullah, and noticing Merdeka 118 next to the stadium.
“So I came up with the idea to walk here once, and why walk alone?
“Let us invite the legends, sportsmen, and former athletes to remember the stadium.”
His Majesty also presented contributions through YASA amounting to RM60,000 to the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb), as well as RM40,000 to the former state and National Footballers Association.
