PETALING JAYA: Former Malaysian international and ex-president of the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) Safee Sali expressed his deep disappointment and called for accountability following the issuance of FIFA’s "motivated decision" detailing issues involving players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and agents.
"As a Malaysian, I think, of course, I am disappointed and kecewa (disappointed) with this result," Safee stated.
He urged the football fraternity to learn from the incident, stressing the need to "wake up and don't do it again".
"We rectify this, whoever did it must be held accountable," Safee asserted, highlighting the need to address the systemic issues raised in the decision.
Safee addressed the part of the motivated decision stating that players reportedly let agents handle everything without exercising their professional responsibilities.
The former striker expressed astonishment that professional players at that level would not read and understand their contracts.
He emphasised that players must perform their due diligence as professionals and "be careful and know what you sign".
Regarding FAM’s move to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Safee stressed that the priority must be to "save our football".
Safee cautioned against a severe outcome, stating, "We cannot kill football just like that".
He noted that a suspension or crisis would affect many parties outside of the immediate situation.
The AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 winner added that even before FIFA’s formal involvement, local players were already being affected by the circumstances and any further complications from this ruling will only create "more problems" for the players.
“We must love the football, for the sport, for our country,” he concluded.
