FAM’s mass resignation in best interest of Malaysian football, says S’wak football chief

KUCHING (Jan 28): The en masse resignation of the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) Executive Committee (Exco) was made in the interest of integrity and the future of Malaysian football, said Football Association of Sarawak (FAS), said its president Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.

He said FAS has taken note of the resignation of all FAM executive committee members for the 2025–2029 term with immediate effect, and respects their decision.

“FAS respects the decision as a step taken after careful consideration of the institution’s interests, integrity and the future of national football.

“In the modern sports landscape, good governance, transparency and accountability are no longer optional, but basic requirements,” he said in a statement.

Fazzrudin, who is Chief Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier and Tupong assemblyman, expressed hope that the transition period would be managed in an orderly and professional manner, in line with the FAM constitution and international standards set by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

He also commented that as an affiliate body, FAS hopes that the transition period will be handled in an organised, professional manner and in accordance with the FAM constitution, as well as International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) and AFC standards.

“Most importantly, the stability of the football ecosystem, including grassroots development and the welfare of players, coaches and officials, must not be affected,” he said.

He added that FAS remains committed to working with all parties to ensure that necessary reforms are implemented in a comprehensive and principled manner.

“FAS remains committed to cooperating with all stakeholders to ensure that the required reforms can be carried out thoroughly and with integrity, in order to restore public confidence and place Malaysian football on a stronger and more credible footing,” he said.

Fazzrudin also stressed the importance of public trust and responsible leadership in the sport.

“Football belongs to the people. Public trust must be preserved, and leadership must always place the interests of the sport above personal interests,” he said.

It was reported that the entire FAM executive committee stepped down following a special meeting at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya earlier today, in what is regarded as an unprecedented move in Malaysian football.

The mass resignation comes in the wake of a major scandal involving falsified documents for seven naturalised players, which led to Fifa imposing a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs and suspending the players for 12 months in late 2025.

Following the resignations, FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman and the treasurer will oversee the association’s day-to-day operations on an interim basis.

The AFC is expected to form a special team to assess FAM’s governance and management, while an extraordinary congress will be convened in due course to elect a new leadership.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport yesterday granted a stay of execution for the seven players involved, allowing them to play temporarily while their final appeal is being heard.