Azzuddin let off the hook

FA of Malaysia (FAM) general-secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad will not face disciplinary action for criticising the national Olympic team in an interview on television.

Datuk Azzuddin

According to FAM disciplinary board chairman Datuk Taufik Abdul Razak, Azzuddin, as the general-secretary, is allowed to make press statements on local football.

"Article 88 of FAM's statute (2010/14) states that only the president and secretary-general can make statements," said Taufik after chairing a disciplinary meeting at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday.

"We viewed the videos and after deliberating on the evidence, we found that Azzuddin was not painting a bad image of FAM but merely making a general statement.

   "We will not take action against Azzuddin and as far as we are concerned, this matter is closed."

     The board also agreed to a request from FAM deputy president Tan Sri Annuar Musa to postpone his hearing from Thursday to April 4.

    "Annuar requested for the postponement as he has to attend an official matter in Kelantan in regard to his commitments as chairman of the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority.

    "We could have gone on with the hearing without Annuar but felt it was improper."

   Annuar has been charged by the board for his comments in the media which went against the national body's ethical and disciplinary codes.

   The Kelantan FA president, however, has chosen to remain defiant and wants to defend himself against those allegations in a hearing.

Annuar had submitted evidence and other documents to the board on March 23.

The board, however, could be violating its own code-and-conduct as an independent body of FAM. It is learnt that the wife of a board member is an employee of FAM, and thus it could be considered a conflict of interest.

   Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan striker Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona was handed a two-match ban and fined RM3,000 by the board for manhandling Felda United players during a Super League match in Paroi on Jan 21.

Comments

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...

Chance to catch Messi and company

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

Search This Blog