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Raja to face FAM's wrath?

K. RAJAGOBAL could feel the brunt of the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) Article 88 if its disciplinary committee decides to pursue the matter.

The national coach, upset with the 4-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in a friendly on Sunday, bluntly stated after the final whistle that the lack of strikers in the M-League was the cause behind his team's struggles of late.

Article 88 forbids football officials, coaches and players from speaking on policy matters without leave from FAM.

The committee, headed by Taufik Abdul Razak, had a meeting at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya to discuss  other pending issues and had intentions to touch on Rajagobal's issue.
FAM assistant secretary Datuk Ahmad Fuad Daud said the committee wanted to discuss about it but decided not to due to time constraint.

"The committee may discuss about it in its   meeting either on March 27 or 28. They will decide whether there is a case," said Ahmad Fuad in Kelana Jaya.

FAM vice president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, however, backed Rajagobal, stating that the coach has the right to comment about his team's strengths and weaknesses.

"Rajagobal has not breached Article 88. As a coach, he has the right to say anything about his team. We should not go overboard. If we keep harping about petty issues then I think we will not go anywhere," said Subahan, also the team manager, in Kelana Jaya yesterday.

'He was only giving his honest view. If a coach is not able to give constructive views then how is he going to coach the national team? I think it has nothing to do with Article 88...he did not make negative comments."

Subahan said everyone should focus on motivating the national team, not harshly criticising them.
"Rajagobal has a contract until the end of the year and his future depends on how his team do in the Asian Cup Qualifiers. Critics should support us. Rajagobal and I will have to go if we do not meet targets," Subahan added.

Subahan, a state assemblyman, has been the team manager since the 2009 Sea Games in Laos. He and Rajagobal enjoy a good working relationship with the former being instrumental in the team's success in Sea Games and the 2010 AFF Cup.

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Amri Yahyah (left) and Mahalli Jasuli in a training session at Wisma MBPJ yesterday. Pic by Goh Thean Howe
By Ajitpal Singh
Read more: Raja to face FAM's wrath? - Soccer - New Straits Times

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