Calm before the storm: Datuk Yusoff Mahadi (left) walking alongside FAM honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin.
PETALING JAYA: Acting Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi has dismissed speculation that resignations have taken place within the executive committee, stressing that no final decision was made following a discussion yesterday.
Yusoff, however, admitted that resignation was among the options discussed during a “special” meeting, as the body face intense scrutiny following sanctions imposed by FIFA over document forgery involving seven mixed-heritage players.
He said the gathering, attended by available exco members, was merely a platform to hear views on the direction of FAM amid growing concerns over possible action by world and continental governing bodies.
“No one has resigned. The meeting was more about listening,” said Yusoff.
“We called the exco members who could attend to discuss FAM’s direction moving forward.”
FIFA have suspended the seven mixed-heritage players for 12 months and imposed fines after ruling that forged birth documents had been used. FAM have also been slapped with a RM1.8mil fine.
FAM are appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland to overturn the decision. Should the ruling be upheld, FAM could face further sanctions from FIFA, including a total suspension, while the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) may follow suit. Yusoff added that several options were presented for consideration to the exco, but no resolution was reached as the leadership wanted collective input before deciding the next course of action.
“There are two or three options. One of them, of course, is resignation, since everyone is talking about it. But there is no final decision yet,” he said.
The resignation option has been linked to fears of further sanctions or intervention, including the possible appointment of a normalisation committee, should FAM be deemed to have governance issues.
When asked about the timeline for a decision, Yusoff said the matter would be resolved soon.
“I feel we need to make this decision as soon as possible. Hopefully within one or two weeks, we can finalise our ultimate decision,” he said, adding that a formal exco meeting would be held in the near future to conclude discussions.
Despite differing views, Yusoff expressed confidence that the exco would ultimately stand united.
“From the overall spirit, I believe we will make a unanimous decision. We swim together, and if we sink, we sink together. We share the joy and the grief together,” he said.
On whether he was personally prepared to step down if required, Yusoff declined to respond individually, reiterating that any outcome would be collective.
“If resignations happen, then the upcoming congress meeting will be an elective one,” he explained.
For now, he insisted that speculation should be tempered until the exco formally convene and reach a decision.
