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FAM risks losing FIFA support if Harimau Malaya privatised  | Scoop
FAM has clarified that Harimau Malaya will remain under its management as privatising the national team will risk it losing FIFA funding. – Azim Rahman/Scoop file pic, October 10, 2024
Sports

FAM risks losing FIFA support if Harimau Malaya privatised 

Association forms special unit to manage national team, protecting RM21 million FIFA funding allocated for National Training Centre 

Main Author Image
Sandru Narayanan
Updated
9:00 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) may risk losing FIFA’s financial support if it privatises its national football team. 

This comes after FAM clarified that Harimau Malaya will remain under its management, despite recent speculation suggesting a possible shift towards privatisation. 

The speculation stemmed from a proposal by the Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who had suggested privatising the team.  

His proposal, titled “National Squad Strategy,” was shared on Instagram and reportedly discussed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

The plan envisioned a privately-run Harimau Malaya with a leadership structure that included roles such as a technical director, coaching director, chief operating officer, and human resources manager. 

However, FAM deputy president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi told Scoop that such a move would conflict with FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regulations, which prohibit national teams from being privately run. 

“In the world of football, all operations are authorised by FIFA. FAM plays a crucial role in the administration of the sport in our country, as FIFA will only deal with us and not with anyone else. 

“At the same time, we are also a national sports association and accountable to the government. Hence, we cannot privatise our national team. 

“Our national team cannot be run independently and privately. We are affiliated with FIFA and AFC, who are our patrons, and we cannot act without their awareness. 

“We compete as a national team under FIFA regulations, and it doesn’t make sense to compete as a private team. We mean no disrespect to anyone’s suggestion, however, having a special unit is a better option,” Yusoff said when contacted. 

FIFA had allocated RM21 million for the construction of the National Training Centre (NTC) in Putrajaya, a project set to be completed in 2026. 

He stressed that FIFA’s continued support relies on FAM maintaining control of the national team. 

In response to the proposal, FAM has established a special unit to manage the affairs of both the senior national team and the under-23 squad.  

This unit will oversee funding, staffing, and general operations, reporting directly to FAM president Tan Sri Hamidin Amin and the executive committee. 

“We’ve created a special unit to ensure proper use of funds for their operations. If we don’t have this special unit, there’s a possibility that the funds may end up in other departments within FAM, and we want to avoid that mix-up. 

“We have discussed the directives for the special unit, and following this, the president will brief the prime minister. 

“So far, there is no deadline for implementing this initiative, but we’ll be doing it soon. We at FAM believe that this will be a positive initiative, and we will address any shortcomings as they arise,” Yusoff added. 

Last month, Anwar announced a RM15 million allocation aimed at strengthening Harimau Malaya and positioning Malaysia as a football powerhouse in Asia.  

Malaysia are currently ranked 132nd in the FIFA rankings. – October 10, 2024 

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