Malaysian FA discusses officials and league teams

Candidates for the position of General Secretary of the Football Association of Malaysia will be discussed during the FAM Council meeting today. The position became vacant when Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad decided to relinquish the post after his two-year term ended on 15 August. Among the candidates being considered are FAM disciplinary committee Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat, FAM referee’s board chairman Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad, FA of Penang secretary Datuk Mohd Junid Mohd Noor and FA of Selangor secretary Hamidin Mohd Amin. The meeting will also name the replacement for national football coach Norizan Bakar. The two front-runners are Selangor’s Dollah Salleh and Kedah’s Mohd Azraai Khor, reported The Star.

Another main issue for discussion is the number of teams who are to participate in the M-League next season. The current format has 13 teams in the Super League and 11 teams competing in the second-tier Premier League. The FAM competitions committee will be seeking the approval to increase the number of Super League teams by one and Premier League from 11 to 14 teams. If the proposal is approved then the two losing semi-finalists of the FAM CupKL City Hall and Felda United FC of KL – will get to take part in the Premier League. Beverly FC of Sabah and Proton Selangor – the two finalists of the FAM Cup – will replace the demoted Kuala Muda and KL Plus, who finished as the bottom two teams of the Premier League this season.