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Tunku Ismail: ‘Use your head instead of jealousy when you want to criticise me.’
JOHOR BARU: A defiant Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (pic) has this message for his critics: “I will not bow to pressure and quit the national body.”
“There are some quarters, former football players who have never won anything in their careers as well as some from state FAs, criticising me because of the senior squad’s performance.
“They are like vultures waiting to attack me because of the senior squad. If they want to criticise me, then they should base it on facts instead of jealousy and hatred because I am the owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT),” he said.
Tunku Ismail explained that it’s been less than a year since he took over as FAM president and that the critics should give him at least three years to deliver the goods.
“Do I look like a person who will bow to pressure? Use your head instead of jealousy when you want to criticise me. Otherwise it only shows your foolishness,” he said.
The FAM and Tunku Ismail have come under severe criticism over Kedah’s failure in getting their AFC licence; Pahang declining to replace Kedah in the AFC Cup; the five foreign-player rule for the M-League; and the national team’s lacklustre performances.
Tunku Ismail, who is also the Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ), said that FAM “aren’t like the previous football body of some 10 years ago when they would close an eye and accept whatever’s given to them”.
“There are nine rules that teams must adhere to for them to get their licences, including grassroots programme, training facilities and financial audit.
“If Kedah failed their auditing, then how am I supposed to help them? The previous administration allowed this kind of things, which is cronyism,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Tunku Ismail also questioned Pahang’s decision in declining to replace Kedah in the AFC Cup competition, saying it would directly hurt Malaysian football even more.
“They (Pahang) claim that they want to help Malaysia football, but what they are doing is hurting it even more because sponsors for the M-League will now think twice because of their decision.
“The FAM will meet Pahang in the next few days and, if they are still stubborn, then we will refer them to the disciplinary board for action,” he said.
Tunku Ismail also explained that the five foreign-player rule would be a financial boon for the M-League “as it would increase viewership among regional countries”.
He said that three years ago he was the only person who spoke about teams needing television rights to survive financially.
“Teams like Sime Darby are pulling out because of this and that’s what’s killing our football, not Tunku Mahkota Johor,” he said.
“Next year, teams will be getting between RM3mil and RM4mil as broadcasting rights. Hopefully, it would rise even further for the teams in M-League.”
On the national team’s declining world ranking, Tunku Ismail admitted that it would continue to go down even further.
But he believes the future is bright, thanks to the rising talent from the Under-23, Under-19 and Under-16 teams.
Malaysia have dropped four spots to No. 174 in the world.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2017/11/24/tmj-i-wont-quit-fam-president-says-he-will-not-bow-to-pressure/#0IrqTpEZEzkhGA20.99
