Foul!

On Tuesday, professional boxer Farkhan Haron and I were invited to be on RTM's Planet Sukan  as we spoke about boxing. As we stepped out of the studio right after the show, I asked Farkhan why didn't he fight in the recent Fight of Champions? "Technical issues" was his brief reply followed by a smile. He refused to elaborate further. Farkhan was earlier listed to compete in the Fight of Champions. Farkhan is sponsored by Tunku Ismail. He also said this during Tuesday's live show on TV1. And here's what I learnt hours earlier. Tunku Ismail Ibrahim was supposed to be involved in the fight but a "disagreement of certain terms"  resulted in the Crown Prince of Johor opting out from the event. I wrote, on March 9 , that Manny Pacquiao had visited Tunku Ismail twice late last year over the possibility of organising a boxing match. Later, there were concerns that the organiser MP Production did not engage a local organiser, a requirem...

UPDATE (March 25, 3.15pm): Tunku Ismail Ibrahim resigns as FA of Malaysia president. -- UPDATE (March 17, 9.52am): As of late last night, it's status quo at Wisma FAM. Tunku Ismail Ibrahim remains as president as "no resignation letter was submitted". Insiders say Tunku Ismail was "very disturbed and feels unappreciated following critical comments, especially on social media, about the national team's FIFA ranking despite the many other achievements (as listed in the original post below) throughout his close to one year stint in office". -- UPDATE (March 16, 8.25am) : FA of Malaysia general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin said:  "Sudah tentu jika kita membiarkan Tunku Ismail meletak jawatan, kita juga akan kehilangan penaja dan saya sendiri tidak dapat membayangkan siapa yang layak untuk menggantikan tempat baginda sebagai Presiden FAM." Read his full statement here . -- UPDATE (March 16, 10.19am): Another FA...

About a week ago four Super League teams and six Premier League outfits were slapped with fines amounting to RM9 million. Why? Failing to complete their registration within the deadline. What makes matters worse is that ... The last day for submission was December 29 last year but was extended TWICE - January 14 and February 3, 2018. But the teams still given another chance... talian hayat terakhir - can appeal within 14 days (before March 20) to reduce fines. So who are the infamous M-League teams who did not complete their registration in time? Super League: Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and PKNS FC - each slapped RM1.5 million in fines. Premier League: Sarawak, Penang, Kuantan FA, Police, MISC-MIFA and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) - fined RM500,00 each for a similar offence. How did the teams react? They cry lah. Whine lah. Complain lah. No money, how to pay. Boo hoo! So Football Malaysia LLP will deduct the...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol THERE is something ‘magical’ about Malaysian football.  Its trophy cabinet is pathetic when compared to badminton and diving. Many within seem to own a DeLorean time machine for they are often stuck in the past. And the woes plaguing the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and state affiliates — from finances to ethics — are more alarming than Zika. Why is football still the nation’s No. 1 sport? Its pull factor is phenomenal. The sport has been able to reach out to many of all walks, uniting those of opposing views and enjoying hundreds of thousands of loyal fans. It comes as no surprise why many continue to be lured to the FAM presidency. Even holding a position, regardless how minute, is seen as an “achievement”. The nominations for the FAM top post will close on Monday, leaving fans and observers at the edge of their seats over who will take over from the Crown Prince of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Shah.\ Those nominated...

As published in Malay Mail today Fans should just forget about football, for now, and support our heroes in Rio.   By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my THE only thing certain in Malaysian football — is uncertainty.   Many things have been uncertain for far too long. One of them is the FA of Malaysia’s (FAM) leadership. FAM president Tengku Abdullah Shah, who turned 57 on Saturday, has made it clear he wants out from the national body. The Pahang Crown Prince had last year announced he was ready to step down following the nation’s disastrous outings in the World Cup/Asia Cup qualifiers.   However, there were those who begged him to reconsider — for reasons best known to them. Having a member of the royal family gives them the impression that FAM will not have to worry about its finances and stature, perhaps.   Having dealt with Tengku Abdullah on many occasions, he, like his father former FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah, has always been clear about his role i...