Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has hinted that he is considering suspending the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) after the national team's dismal defeat at the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
In the Asian Zone World Cup qualifiers match in Doha yesterday, United Arab Emirates trounced Malaysia 10-0.
Khairy said the match was an embarrassment to Malaysia and the resignation of the Malaysian team coach Dollah Salleh was "correct" but "not enough".
He then alluded to FAM, saying the coach's problem was merely a symptom of the real disease that is plaguing national football.
"Under the Sports Development Act, the Youth and Sports Ministry is vested with powers to suspend any sporting associations.
"But this would be the last option, if there are no other solutions," he said in a Facebook posting today.
Khairy said he has to weight the suspension as it may mean the national team may be disqualified from participation in international tournaments.
Overseas games affected?
He cited how the Federation of International Football Association (Fifa) had prevented Indonesia's national team from competing internationally when the Indonesian Football Association was once suspended.
"Are we prepared to accept the same fate if FAM is suspended?
"This is something that I must think about when I meet FAM later," he said.
Khairy has been a constant critic of FAM since he became a minister in 2013, having had spats with the association over what he said was its poor management.
The FAM has also earned the disdain of Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, an avid supporter of the Johor Darul Takzim Football Club.
Related stories
Tunku Ismail: I do not want to be FAM president
I'll never back a corrupt person, says crown prince
'Bad boy' Johor prince crafts new image
FAM digging bottomless pit, rues ex-defender
FAM: Prince referring to criticism on social media
Revamp team, Palestine coach advises FAM
Sanctions, boycott threats follow M’sian FA Cup semi
