FAM Vows to Improve Image After Critical AFC Audit Findings

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is facing scrutiny following an audit by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that revealed significant weaknesses in its operations. The audit, presented at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), identified 10 areas where FAM performed poorly, achieving only half of the possible assessment marks, thus tarnishing its image.

Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, FAM's Secretary General, acknowledged the audit's findings, stating that they should serve as a valuable lesson for the organization's future. "We accept whatever findings the AFC has made, and we can no longer look back," he said. "What has been shared this time is also something good, and we must take it as a guide to become better."

The AFC's presentation, delivered by Deputy Secretary General Vahid Kardany, indicated critical governance issues within FAM that require urgent attention. The audit revealed particularly low scores in finance, business information, and risk management, as well as governance and legal aspects. Other areas with subpar performance included culture, infrastructure, facilities, marketing, branding, commercial development, advocacy, engagement, management, administration, logistics, IT, and performance development.

Further details from the audit highlighted that FAM has not disclosed its annual expenditure to its congress since 2016. Additionally, Malaysia is noted as the only country that does not include clubs as affiliated members of its football association. Compared to other Southeast Asian nations, FAM has the fewest affiliated member associations. For context, Thailand boasts 69 affiliated clubs, followed by Indonesia with 43, and other nations like Myanmar, Singapore, Laos, Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste also have more affiliated clubs than Malaysia.