AFF warns M’sia against Suzuki Cup pullout
The Asean Football Federation (AFF) has warned Malaysia that they will face sanctions from world football governing body Fifa if they decide to pull out of the ongoing Suzuki Cup over Myanmar’s handling of the Rohingya crisis.
In the preliminary round of the biennial tournament, 2014 finalists Malaysia are in Group B, the matches of which are being held in Myanmar, while the Philippines are hosting Group A, featuring four-time champions Thailand.
In the run-up to Malaysia’s final group match against Myanmar today, the Malaysian government called for the withdrawal of their national team from the competition, dissatisfied with the way Myanmar has addressed the problems concerning the Rohingyas.
The AFF expressed its regret over a Malaysian pullout. “I have received numerous calls from journalists from Kuala Lumpur and also here in Yangon about the statement made by the Malaysian government urging their national team to pull out from the AFF Suzuki Cup,” said Azzuddin Ahmad, the AFF general secretary.
“We at the AFF will be very disappointed if this happens. The first point is that we have been preparing in detail for the AFF Suzuki Cup for two years now.
“We have made commitments to participating teams that everything will go on as planned. This issue has made not only the hosts feel uneasy but also the other teams.
“We have to realise that the AFF Suzuki Cup has the power to unite people and the people eagerly wait for this biennial event,” he said.
He also questioned the timing of the move, which came just before Malaysia’s decisive game against Myanmar, as the two sides were tied on three points from two games. Both are in the race for the remaining qualification spot in the semi-finals. Vietnam, who lead the group on six points, are likely to clinch the top spot as they face bottom side Cambodia in the group’s other match.
“The question is that this issue has been there for a long time. What is the need to raise it during the AFF Suzuki Cup?
“Also we have our commitment to the sponsors, in this instance Lagardere Sports, to deliver the event in entirety under the contract. If we fail to deliver this event, then we the AFF might be liable to pay back damages to Lagardere.
“The [AFF] president ... was given the mandate by the AFF members to lead. And if this issue disrupts the event, then it will look bad on His Royal Highness.
“There’s only one game left, which is the game on Saturday against the hosts Myanmar.
If Malaysia make the cut, then they will not continue to play here.”
While warning of potential consequences if Malaysia yield to the calls to withdraw, Ahmad said the pullout made no sense when it comes to solving the Rohingya issue.
“These matches are also sanctioned by Fifa which means that if Malaysia pull out then they might sanction the FAM for government interference.
“My question is, will the pullout of the Malaysian national team from the AFF Suzuki Cup lead to a solution on the Rohingya issue? No one asked us about this issue. No one sought our opinion. And why should football be the victim?
“I hope that the powers that be weigh on this issue properly as the implications are enormous to Malaysia pulling out and the repercussions will not be good for Malaysian football,” he said.
