Calls for FAM to be firm, impartial, transparent

Kuala Terengganu: Seriously if Malaysia aspires to have a full-fledged privatised M-League and want to at least co-host the World Cup, national governing body, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has to quickly investigate and act decisively against anybody who has allegedly brought disrepute to FAM's-owned  sanctioned games.

The latest bizarre, unprovoked and uncalled for incident against T-Team officials and players, which led them to abandon last night's game against JDT for safety reasons, is a case in point. Yes every club wants to win important matches but standard rules, regulations, procedures and exemplary leadership must always be upheld and should not be breached and tainted with.

Terengganu FA (PBSNT) president, Dato' Wan Ahmad Nizam Wan Abdul Hamid shares with Bola Pantai Timur, "I am deeply saddened and regret to note that this very unfortunate, unprovoked and uncalled for incident took place at Larkin stadium last night. I have instructed the players and officials concerned to lodge police reports so that the police will do their own investigation on the wrongdoing."

Ahmad Nizam: deep regret

At the same time he says,"We also ask the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to investigate and take action in a proper, transparent, impartial and holistic manner - our related grievances which had forced us to withdraw as safety then became the primary consideration."

Upon arrival in Kuala Terengganu, T-Team head coach, Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah tells Bola Pantai Timur before the team left the stadium, they had filled in a form registering their protest and outlining their uppermost safety concerns. The incident's victims were taken for a check-up before lodging their police reports.

Ahmad Nizam stresses, "In a science and technology era where information is almost instantaneous, a club's top management should act wisely and not simply do what they like."    

The secretary to a Terengganu supporters' club, Peteh, Wan Mohd Azmi Wan Ngah says, "FAM must be firm against the culprit or culprits. Unlike ancient times, we are now in the modern football era where a high level of sportsmanship and adequate safety measures are a must." He adds that it was puzzling why the incident happened in the way it did whereas JDT was leading T-Team 2-1 at half-time.