Thank you FAM; Fakri goes to Portugal; Raja remains positive

I bet those will be the words of Mat Zan Mat Aris (pic), Robert Scully and Nidzam Adha Yusoff.

All three coaches were sacked prematurely for reasons best known by the respective FAs (Terengganu -Mat Zan; Penang - Robert; Perlis - Nidzam) last season.


The matter was brought to the attention of the FA of Malaysia (FAM). The Player Status Committee decided that all three FAs will have to pay RM120,000 in compensation to the coaches.

Committee chairman Takiyuddin Hassan said the FAs would have to pay the compensation within one month of receiving a letter or their annual grants will be deducted.

This is the second blow for Terengganu after FAM had earlier decided that Peter Butler's termination by the Terengganu FA was "null and void".

Hopefully this will serve as a reminder to the state FAs not to take their employees for granted.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Fakri Saarani joins the likes of Nazmi Faiz Mansor in plying his trade in Portugal.

During a Press Conference at the Hilton Hotel in PJ, it was revealed that Fakri will sign a year-long deal with Atletico Sport Clube Reguengos next season. Nazmi is currently playing for Beira Mar's youth team.

Last but not least, national coach K.Rajagobal would prefer to see the two defeats "positively".

The national team lost 1-0 to Vietnam and 2-0 to Thailand in two friendly matches recently.

Rajagobal was quoted by Bernama as saying;

"We need to see the outcome positively rather than negatively. It's better for us to lose at their turf but learn their game than later be defeated by them on home ground in the Suzuki Cup (if we were to meet each other)."

HD says: Finally justice for the coaches and all the best Fakri.