Football Observer Backs AFC Proposal for Harimau Malaya

Football observer Datuk Richard Scully has welcomed the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) proposal to reintegrate the national Harimau Malaya team under the administration of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). This suggestion is part of broader efforts to improve the national football structure, detailed in the AFC's new 94-article statutes.

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AFC is making suggestions on several important issues to be highlighted, and the individuals responsible for finalizing them are the new FAM Exco.

Scully believes the AFC's proposal warrants serious consideration from the newly elected FAM executive committee. He clarified that the AFC's input is a recommendation, not a directive. "AFC is making suggestions on several important issues to be highlighted, and the individuals responsible for finalizing them are the new FAM Exco," Scully said.

He stressed that the decision rests with the new Exco members. "It's a suggestion and not a compulsion. It's up to the new Exco to accept it or not," he added. Scully also highlighted that restoring the Harimau Malaya brand is among the AFC's key agendas, which he considers relevant for streamlining the national football structure.

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It's a suggestion and not a compulsion. It's up to the new Exco to accept it or not.

"Ideally, what the AFC suggests should be accepted. If they don't want to follow, it's okay, but the new FAM Exco needs to have relevant proposals," Scully stated. He emphasized the AFC's supportive role, aiming to assist FAM rather than complicate its operations. "AFC wants to help, not to make things difficult for FAM. So, the new FAM Exco should champion what AFC has proposed in the process of refining Malaysian football," he urged.

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Ideally, what the AFC suggests should be accepted. If they don't want to follow, it's okay, but the new FAM Exco needs to have relevant proposals.

Scully concluded by asking for patience, allowing the new FAM Exco time to evaluate and make the best decisions for the future of Malaysian football. "For now, we wait and see what the new FAM Exco will do," he said.

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AFC wants to help, not to make things difficult for FAM. So, the new FAM Exco should champion what AFC has proposed in the process of refining Malaysian football.