Safee Sali.
PETALING JAYA: Former Malaysian international and ex-president of the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) Safee Sali has urged the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to ‘’save our football first’’ as the national body take their case with FIFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Safee expressed his concern over what a severe outcome can do to the country’s sport on the international stage.
“We cannot kill football just like that,” he said.
He noted that a further suspension or crisis would affect many parties outside of the immediate situation.
Tough times: Gabriel Palmero (right) is one of the mixed-heritage players who was banned by FIFA.
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 football and the sport, and it’s for our country first,” he concluded.
Safee continued his call for accountability following the issuance of FIFA’s “motivated decision” detailing issues involving players, FAM and agents.
“As a Malaysian, I think, of course, I am 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 must 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”.
