Following FIFA's penalty, former FAM official offers unexpected advice

Former Secretary General of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Saifuddin Abu Bakar urges acceptance of FIFA's penalty regarding the fake naturalized players and concentrating on reconstructing Malaysian football.

According to NST, former Secretary General of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Saifuddin Abu Bakar has advised relevant parties to be cautious in making statements concerning the recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). He believes it is better to wait for the full content of the ruling to be published before issuing any official response.

Saifuddin emphasized that premature comments could complicate the situation, especially in Malaysia's football relations with international governing bodies. He stated: "I think we should not comment at this moment. We should wait until the final outcome is available before deciding what to do,". He added: "Currently, it is too early to comment. If we comment too early, we fear it might worsen the issues between us and AFC or FIFA."

Previously, CAS upheld the penalty imposed by FIFA on FAM, including a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs and a 12-month playing ban for seven naturalized players due to involvement in falsifying documents regarding eligibility for the national team.

Saifuddin also questioned recent statements issued under FAM's name since the organization's leadership structure has changed. He explained: "With the entire executive committee resigning on January 28, the only remaining officer is Secretary General Datuk Noor Azman Rahman." He further said: "Therefore, when a statement is made 'on behalf of FAM,' people will naturally ask – whose viewpoint is this? Who does 'we' actually represent?"

According to Saifuddin, continuing to express public disappointment could backfire. He noted: "If you show disappointment and keep commenting, it might make the situation worse,". He recommended: "It is best to accept the decision first and wait until the full report is released. Then, we can consult the legal committee and decide on necessary actions."

The former FAM leader believes the most important thing now is for Malaysian football to focus on stabilizing and recovering after the crisis period. He said: "What's past is past. The most crucial thing now is to move forward,". He also believes AFC remains ready to assist: "AFC will always be there to guide them in the right direction. But they must comply. If you have a teacher but refuse to listen, it is of no use."