KELANA JAYA: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will form a special team to help the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) review their internal management and administration following the collective resignation of the exco committee.
AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul said AFC were invited into the process and was informed of the exco’s decision to step down.
"AFC were invited, and we got to know the exco are resigning. What was discussed with FAM is that we want to help FAM to do an evaluation on internal matters, especially management and administration," he said.
Paul said the review will focus on identifying weaknesses and gaps, and aligning FAM with modern and relevant standards.
"We want to see what is weak and the gaps — what is modern, standard and relevant right now,” he added.
The AFC team of AFC and Fifa-appointed consultants will be led by assistant secretary-general Vahid Kardhani, who will report their findings to stakeholders, particularly the FAM Congress.
"Any changes will need the agreement from Congress. That is the last step," Windsor said.
He stressed there was no AFC-imposed timeframe for the process and paid tribute to the outgoing exco members.
"We have to thank the exco for letting their positions go. We must appreciate their service — some have been with FAM for so long. We can’t forget their contributions."
During the interim period, FAM operations will continue under the secretary-general and treasurer.
"The responsibility is given to the secretary and treasurer to ensure finances and operations continue. This is not against the statutes, and the finance committee have given assurance," he said.
Windsor added that additional internal appointments would be made to support administration and work alongside AFC, with the temporary arrangement to be presented to the congress.
"The objective is to help FAM become an even better association before we go to congress," he said.
