{
  "id": 7946645,
  "title": "FAM takes 'gamble' on elections despite CAS legal warning",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/fam-takes-gamble-on-elections-despite-cas-legal-warning",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T04:13:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/09/1534627/fam-takes-gamble-elections-despite-cas-legal-warning"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia Football Association (FAM) representatives have decided to hold an Extraordinary Congress and executive committee elections, despite receiving a legal warning from the Electoral Committee chairman. The Electoral Committee chairman, Datuk Dr Abdullah Mohamad Said, is not legally qualified to hold the position under Article 4.5 of the FAM Electoral Code. The warning was issued by Windsor Paul, the congress chairman and AFC general secretary, who cautioned that the decision to proceed may face legal challenges at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).\n\nThe Selangor FA (FAS) submitted a formal objection letter on September 8th, citing the ineligibility of the Electoral Committee chairman and deputy chairman to serve. FAS deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr Shahril Mokhtar, proposed a motion to continue with the congress and elections, but with a reprimand to prevent such issues from arising in the future. However, Windsor Paul firmly rejected the proposal, stating that the general assembly cannot bypass statutory requirements without proper amendment processes. The congress unanimously agreed to proceed with the elections, and the voting process commenced for the 2025-2029 term.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: FA of Malaysia (FAM) delegates voted today to proceed with an Extraordinary Congress and executive committee elections, despite acknowledging that the Electoral Committee chairman is legally unqualified for the post.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}