Candidates with poor track records will be a liability to FAM, warns ex-exco member

Former FAM executive committee member Christopher Raj cautioned that candidates with poor records at the state or club level could undermine the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) if elected. Speaking on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme, Raj urged those who failed to address basic issues like salary arrears and statutory contributions not to run for national office.

He warned that bringing underperforming officials to the national level would only exacerbate problems for the president. Raj stressed that the upcoming FAM Congress on September 17 was crucial, as the elected leadership must be capable of steering national football out of its current difficulties. The Malaysian Sports Writers Association (SAM) president, Norismadi Abd Manap, echoed this sentiment, stating that the new leadership must set clear priorities, whether they are focused on the national squad's performance, governance, or grassroots development, as fans are demanding tangible results.

Norismadi acknowledged that fans were no longer willing to wait for improvement and that the upcoming leadership election would define FAM's image and future, especially after recent investigations by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).