Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has slammed the Pahang FA (PFA) for turning down an opportunity to play in the AFC Cup next year. (File pix)
KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has slammed the Pahang FA (PFA) for turning down an opportunity to play in the AFC Cup next year.
The FA of Malaysia (FAM) president said Pahang's decision sends the 'wrong signals' to other Malaysian teams.
"Do they really think they are helping the national team or do they have an agenda to bring down the president and new leadership of FAM? I am not mincing my words here," said Tunku Ismail at a press conference in Johor Bahru today.
"How will our football develop when you do not join an international competition such as the AFC Cup? You are sending the wrong signals to the other teams, it is as if the AFC Cup is not important.
"If the AFC Cup is not important, then just send (your) President's Cup squad. At least the players will learn from the experience and you still participate in the tournament.
"We are (affiliated) under AFC and AFC is under FIFA so we have to work together, not try to bring each other down."
Pahang made a shock decision to decline FAM's offer to replace Kedah as Malaysia's representative in the AFC Cup, stating that they wished to focus on the local Super League.
FA Cup winners Kedah were not allowed to compete in the AFC Cup after they failed to get a licence from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) when they did not submit the audited accounts within the stipulated time.
Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail said a decision on Felda United, who have yet to obtain a licence for the Super League next season, will only be decided at the next FAM meeting.
"As far as I am concerned, the conditions are clear and all teams must follow (the rules).
"FAM used to allow those without licenses to compete as they did not want to offend people. This is cronyism and we must not allow it here.
"If you want a licence you have to work hard for it, you cannot expect others to help you."
FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has questioned the exclusion of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) players from the list of nominees for the National Football Awards (NFA) 2017 which will be held on December 22. (File pix)
KUALA LUMPUR: FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has questioned the exclusion of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) players from the list of nominees for the National Football Awards (NFA) 2017 which will be held on December 22.
Tunku Ismail, who is also the owner of JDT, is unhappy that none of the clubs' players have been listed for the awards despite JDT winning the Super League and Malaysia Cup this year.
"I want to expose a piece of information which shows that football in Malaysia is not evaluated through facts but instead emotions, hatred and jealousy," said Tunku Ismail in a press conference today.
"Not a single (JDT) player has been listed for this award, does it make sense? JDT has won nine trophies in the past four years including the Super League and Malaysia Cup this year.
"This is because of a few media, fans, coaches and other voters".
Tunku Ismail claimed that a number of nominees were not up to par.
"Best defender - Matthew Davies, I have no issues with him, he is a good player but what has he won in the past two years? Nothing! S. Kunanlan won the Super League and the Malaysia Cup this year.
"Best midfielder - Baddrol Bakhtiar, to me it's 50-50, Baddrol and Natxo Insa, but it's okay."
Tunku Ismail, however, agreed with a few of the nominations in other categories.
"Best goalkeeper - Perak (Muhammad Hafizul Hakim), OK I agree he played well. Best local striker - Shahrel Fikri from PKNP, I agree.
"Best coach - Kedah (Nidzam Adzha Yusoff), no problem, he did his job well."
Last year JDT's Safiq Rahim won the Best Midfielder award for the second year in a row and also won the Most Valuable Player for 2015 while former JDT coach Mario Gomez was named best coach.
Goalkeeper Farizal Marlias and defender Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak had also won awards for their positions in 2015.
NST
