Let’s push forward: Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah (right) said we must rise from the setback faced by Malaysian football. — ART CHEN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) should steer clear of taking the case involving seven national footballers to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as it could bring more severe punishments to the governing body.
Former FAM general secretary Datuk Seri Azzuddin Ahmad said taking the case to CAS would be a tricky and difficult route, and could result in the national body being sanctioned further.
“For now FAM have only been fined and the seven players suspended for 12 months,” he said when met at Stadium Merdeka during the Walk with Al-Sultan Abdullah King of Sports event yesterday.
“But I’m afraid FAM could be suspended as well.
“Because it seems like we are going against the current, because all the evidence has already been laid out before us by FIFA and it shows that an act of deception has indeed taken place.
“So what more is there for us to question?
“It’s clear that FIFA have no link or connection whatsoever to any political influence from any side.
“Their statutes and regulations are very clear cut.
“Sorry, but if you violate any of their rules, you simply have to face the consequences.”
Azzuddin added that FAM should instead just accept the fate and pay the fine, as taking the case to CAS could also cost a lot of money.
“From a personal standpoint, we should just accept whatever punishment we’ve received because there’s still a possibility that we might get an even heavier penalty.
“Right now at the association level, we’re still fine, football activities can still continue, and our leagues can still go on.
“But if FAM were to be suspended, all our league would come to a standstill.
“So imagine the implications for the team’s participation in our Malaysian League,” he said.
Azzuddin, whose time in FAM ended in 2013, also said that taking the case to CAS would also further drag the issue and affect national football.
“This will only prolong the issue further. FIFA have already proved their evidence; there’s nothing more to contest.
“What’s concerning is that they might ask us to prove our own documentation processes, and that’s where the big question lies.
“Because this could further implicate and involve our government departments, such as the National Registration Department (JPN), and the Immigration Department.
“We should just accept the reality that a mistake has happened and, as gentlemen, acknowledge it respectfully.
“People will respect us more if we own up and admit that we overlooked something.
“We can’t keep trying to backtrack any more because what’s done is done,” he 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.
