Foul!

Kalau tulis nanti marah

2012-02-15T14:00:00.004+08:00

Tapi takpe, I akan tulis juga!

Kata Liga-M nie profesional tapi adakah ianya benar-benar profesional?

Mari kita kupas perlawanan Selangor-Kelantan kat Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil semalam.

Yang pertama sekali kita lihat start list (gambar).

Katanya Selangor lawan Kelantan, tapi kesebelasan utama Harimua Muda B lawan kesebelasan utama Johor MP Muar. Nie kira silap cut and paste lah kan?

Tapi dengar khabar FAM telahpun diberitahu perkara ini pagi tadi. Hmm...

Yang keduanya tak cukup start list.

I tak kisah jalan kaki dari tingkat atas stadium ke area padang untuk ambil start list tapi kalau lebih ramai orang berbuat demikian, susahlah pihak Rela dengan Polis nak jaga sekuriti. Orang putih kata "too much of human traffic." Lain kali eloklah print banyak sikit kalau dua pasukan besar bermain dan lepas tu letaklah wakil kat tempat media. Semua orang pun senang hati.

Yang ketiga berkenaan budak-budak yang mengiringi pemain keluar padang. Dahlah semuanya kecik-kecik belaka, lepas tu pakaikan baju dengan seluar besar. Berlabuh seluar pendek diaorang sampai nampak macam seluar panjang. Kesian budak-budak tu tapi tak nampak smart lah. Macam mana nak market liga macam nie?

Saya menyusun jari miminta ampun jika ada pihak tersinggung. Bukan niat saya untuk mencari kesalahan sesiapa tapi hanya kritikan membina untuk kebaikan Liga-M.

After all, bukankah timbalan presiden FAM Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah berkata "we must be open to criticism" kat mesyuarat exco baru-baru nie?

HD kata: Kalau bukan burger, sosej, kalau tak keropok lekor. Semuanya berminyak. Ish ish ish. Yg jual makanan kat gerai-gerai sekitar stadium tu kena consult Chef Wan kot.

Osman Bakar heads Coordination and Integrity Unit

2012-02-15T01:42:00.003+08:00

It was an interesting day.

Right after the FA of Malaysia announced it had approached a senior police officer with experience in football to head the Coordination and Integrity Unit, I knew I had to find out who the person was.

I called every former cop cum footballer I knew - Zaman Khan, Dell Akhbar Khan, Bawandi Hiralal, Rahim Abdullah and Takbir Ahmad.

But all of them insisted they were not contacted by anyone from FAM. The tone of their voices affirmed it.

Then I tried my luck with Osman Bakar (pic).

Without any hesitation he admitted he was approached and is willing to take up the challenge.

But Osman stressed he is "not Superman".

Read about Osman's new role in FAM here.

HD says: All the best sir!

What's with the Red Cube?

2012-02-15T01:20:00.000+08:00

3 "senior" teams probed

2012-02-14T12:10:00.003+08:00

FA of Malaysia (FAM) revealed three "senior" teams are being investigated for suspicion of match-fixing in the domestic league.

This comes to no surprise as many believe more dirt will be unearth leading to another 1994 fiasco which saw more than 100 officials and players banned from playing due to football bribery.

FAM also stepped up by working closely with the Immigration Department to monitor suspects from leaving the country and deny entry to foreigners believed to be part of the syndicate.

Read here and here for more.

HD says: Better late than never.

"Karim told me to take the pills"

2012-02-14T10:50:00.004+08:00

"Karim also told me to take the pills, which he said were very expensive. I was also given injections two or three times a week. The doctor informed me that they were B complex shots for recovery after training.

Karim asked me not to tell anyone, including coach K. Jayabalan, about the pills. However, I fell ill after receiving two injections and could not train for a few days. I told coach Jayabalan about the injections and he was angry with me."

That was the stunning admission by national relay runner Yunus Lasaleh (pic) who failed a dope test after winning gold at the Indonesia SEA Games last year as published in The Star and NST today.

Sprints coach Hamberi Mahad handed Malaysia Athletic Union president Shahidan Kassim a petition signed by 16 coaches and 42 athletes containing damning allegations on doping and a call to remove his deputy president Karim Ibrahim.

Although Shahidan expressed "shock" over the petition, one cannot help but wonder if the whole episode was staged from the beginning. After all, it is no secret Shahidan and Karim seem to have lost their love for one another. The latest revelation will make it impossible for cupid to patch things up between the duo even on Valentine's Day.

If the allegations are true, well done Yunus for finally speaking up.

If only he had such guts by not taking the pills in the first place to avoid the possibility of facing heavy bans.

HD says: Drama on Valentine's Day. Where is the love? :)

FAM probes 31 more

2012-02-13T09:44:00.005+08:00

In 2010, I wrote about President's Cup players, including from T-Team, being on the take (pic).

Today, 11 players and five officials from that T-Team squad are being investigated by the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) disciplinary board.

The others are from the MP Muar (4 officials, 3 players) and Penang SDM Navy (4 officials, 4 players) 2011 President’s Cup teams.

All 31 are temporarily suspended from football activities until the DB meets and discusses about any possible action.

As said on Awani Ekstra last night, I am baffled to why the responsible party is only taking action now despite T-Team having lodged a report coupled with my stories on the match-fixing fiasco surfaced two years ago. But I added, "better late than never".

Read The match-fixing scandal widens on FAM's current investigation and When and how it all happened for a recap of my story in 2010.

HD says: I believe more will be named and shamed.

Disgusting!

2012-02-12T17:57:00.003+08:00

A friend once told me, Malaysians are good at developing but are lousy when it comes to maintaining.

Perhaps it is somehow true when it comes to sports facilities in the country.

We have heard of a leaking roof at the Putra Stadium, bad boards at the diving spot in the National Aquatics Center and now the Velodrome in Cheras is said to be in an "embarrassing" state.

The velodrome is currently hosting the Asian Cycling Championships (ACC). To that he says:

"....the overall view of the ACC is disgusting!"

Ouch!

Read Bakar's take here.

HD says: Sigh!

Taking advantage.

2012-02-11T14:45:00.006+08:00

It is nice to see hitman Safee Sali enjoying acting stints on Indonesian TV. Football is his career but he gains extra cash - directly and indirectly - from such appearances and endorsements.

Sadly, most of our athletes still lack in this department.

Athletes like Safiq Rahim, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat and Azlan Iskandar are household names not only because they are good in the scene but they are media savvy - in their own way.

Consistent appearances in the media - may it be print, radio, website or television - gives them mileage to win the hearts of advertisers.

We are not asking them to bask in the limelight and forget about their priorities but to take advantage of their current status for their future as most quit the scene by the age of 35.

Sadly, some athletes don't view it that way.

Simple example. I was at the National Sports Council field in Bukit Jalil to interview the national team as they were preparing for a match against an EPL team. I approached seasoned players Hairuddin Omar and Amri Yahyah and they were ever willing to spend a couple of minutes of their time after the training session.

I then thought of speaking to a particular goalkeeper. For reasons best known to him, he went into hiding, covered his head and part of his face with a towel upon exiting the dressing room and headed towards the bus quickly.

No loss to me, honestly. But such attitude won't go down well with others.

It's time athletes learn how to manage themselves in front of the Press - even when trying to do damage control. It will certainly help them in the long run.

I wish to see more athletes on our billboards, an icon to the younger generation.

It will be great to see a pin up of our athletes like the Nike photo shoot (pic above) featuring some of the best international female athletes of today.

HD says: It is good to Hope.

Razif: Don't toy with the players

2012-02-10T13:56:00.003+08:00

“I welcome their call and I think it is very noble for BAM to think about club players,” said Razif.“But I hope they are genuine and that this is not merely lip service. If they really want the best players to compete, they should gather all the top players and conduct a trial to see who is the best among the lot."

Those were the words of former international Razif Sidek (pic) when asked to comment about BA of Malaysia (BAM) deputy president Al Amin Majid's statement that "even players from clubs could be considered for the inaugural Axiata Cup".

Read more here.

Some may say Razif is jaded as he is no longer part of the national stable and he was not considered as the High Performance Director (which is now known as the High Performance Team).

But I did mention on Bernama's Radio 24 on their programme 'Dalam Radar' on Wednesday that a good player does not make him a good coach or administrator.

Or perhaps Razif is right. No matter what your ranking is or where you come from, the best should be selected through a trial before any major tournament.

You be the judge.

HD says: TGIF!

Sample B - Positive

2012-02-10T08:40:00.005+08:00

The results are finally out. The Sample B of the two national athletes who participated at the Indonesia SEA Games last year turned out to be positive of banned substance.

The two athletes - a member of the 4x400m quartert that won the gold medal and another medal winning weightlifter - will not be named until the Olympic Council of Malaysia gets the confirmation in writing from the Sea Games Federation.

Read Harian Metro's report for more.

It is, however, baffling to note why some athletes remain ignorant over the list of banned substance provided by the World Anti-Doping Agency as seen here.

After all, the internet isn't all about Facebook or Skype.

And if ever in doubt, ask the good folks at the National Sports Institute. As the new saying goes, Malu bertanya, sangkut anti-doping.

HD says: So much for the pomp and fare during the awards ceremony in KL.

Shabery defends 'Ah Jib Gor'

2012-02-09T18:17:00.004+08:00

Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek (pic) has a lot on his plate.

There is pressure for him to win the hearts of the youth and to not sound cheesy as practiced by most of his predecessors.

Some claim Prime Minister Najib Razak's attempt of creating the Ah Jib Gor Facebook account to get closer to the Chinese community drew flak - especially by the opposition leaders. Many had poked fun of the account as well.

But Ahmad Shabery came to the defense of his boss. And he strongly believes the "previous administration made a huge mistake by underestimating the social media especially blogs".

Read 'Shabery defends Ah Jib Gor' in The Malay Mail for more.

HD says: So bila election?

Yusarman Yusof: But why?

2012-02-09T18:01:00.005+08:00

"Saya masih ingat lagi apabila saya berada depan DB. Saya merayu pada mereka. Saya bagitau diaorang, baik saya ditikam, ditanam dan kubur saya disimenkan daripada kena gantung seumur hidup."

Those were the words of former Negri Sembilan President's Cup coach Yusarman Yusof (pic) who I managed to contact yesterday.

Yusarman, who turned 36 last month, was handed a life ban by the FA of Malaysia's Disciplinary Board (DB) during their investigations at Royale Bintang Seremban on Nov 24 and 25, 2011.

Yusarman was said to have frequented a karaoke lounge at Dataran Senawang with 11 of his President's Cup players on two occasions to meet two unidentified men. The players apparently received RM300 on their first meeting and were later handed RM2000 in their second meeting.

Read all about Yusarman on page 3 of The Malay Mail.

By the way, it is 11 players from Negeri Sembilan and not six as informed earlier. Read more here.

HD says: Apparently Negri Sembilan FA - for all their good work in unearthing this match-fixing fiasco - were instructed to pay for the cost of the meetings in Seremban said to be more than RM4,000.

Dalam Radar

2012-02-09T08:12:00.003+08:00

It used to be known as 'Kerusi Panas'.

Now, Bernama's Radio 24 (93.3FM) calls it 'Dalam Radar' that airs from Monday to Friday from 6.33pm - 7.30pm.

Former shuttler Razif Sidek and I were invited to speak about the development of badminton in Malaysia, if the BA of Malaysia (BAM) feels 'threatened' by clubs and the situation of badminton in the country.

Producer Markus Lim tried to get someone from BAM on the show but they apparently declined.

Quite a number of listeners called in. Some asked us questions, a handful wanted to have their say.

Some even brought up the statement by BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai who was reported saying the "priority is the Olympics and not the Thomas Cup" as published here.

(Note: BAM deputy president Al Amin Majid diffused the situation during the launch of the Axiata Cup by saying both Thomas Cup and Olympics are a priority and he is open to players from clubs to represent Malaysia in the Axiata Cup as reported here.)

I stressed while we may have a world No 1 in the form of Lee Chong Wei, we have not progressed in the form of winning titles and building more academies. In fact there should be more clubs in this day of age.

Razif and I wished we had more time as there was certainly so much more to debate about. But it was good while it lasted.

Special mention to Markus (pic: far left) for inviting me to the show, host Wan Syahrina Wan Ab Rahman - winner of the Seri Angkasa Best Radio News presenter 2010 (pic: third from left) - and the whole lot of the Radio 24 crew who were a jolly bunch.

HD says: Till we meet again.

Most teams screwed up

2012-02-08T01:03:00.002+08:00

...but not many are willing to admit it.

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have extended the dateline for the registration of foreign players to Feb 13 and most teams have decided to ditch their imports in search of fresh talents.

So it is safe to presume they all screwed up in the selection of players in the beginning and are lucky to be given a second chance.

Selangor coach Irfan Bakti indirectly agreed to the notion. After all Selangor too made a big boo-boo by signing up an injured player only to ditch him weeks later.

Read all about Breathing easier with second chance in today's Mailsport.

HD says: Lain kali plan dulu. Jangan main beli.

Johor prince takes centre stage

2012-02-08T00:49:00.008+08:00

UPDATE 12.16pm: FAM confirms Tengku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is registered to sit at the sidelines. Read more in tomorrow's Mailsport.

------

This was taken from the Twitter account of Tengku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the crown prince of Johor and the new Johor FA president.

Honestly, I thought only those who are registered in the team list are allowed to sit on the bench. I could be wrong though.

Perhaps the FA of Malaysia could enlighten us on this subject?

Meanwhile, this was revealed by Tengku Ismail in another tweet of his;

3 Player Import Johor dari Brazil dah sampai di Johor Petang Tadi. Gabriel Batistuta ex Argentine World Cup Player akan ke Johor untuk berbincang degan Saya dan Fandi untuk lebih Mantapkan Lagi Pasukan Johor FA dan untuk assist Johor dengan Argentine Superstar Player jikalau Johor FA Ingin Dapat Import Player baru. Buat masa yang sama misi saya ialah, untuk memberi peluang kepada Player Tempatan dan Player muda untuk berlajar.

HD says: Batistuta eh. Not bad Tuanku.

Changes needed.

2012-02-07T08:58:00.005+08:00

“I might even change our playing style. We need to limit our passing in our half. If we keep on repeating the same thing, it will be of no use."

Those were the words of Harimau Muda A coach Ong Kim Swee when contacted in Manama about an hour after the match.

More will be published once The Malay Mail's website is updated.

Kim Swee is adamant of making changes to ensure the team will not repeat the same mistakes for the third time.

The national side lost 2-1 to Bahrain in the London Olympic qualifier - their second defeat to the Middle Eastern team. In November, the Harimau lads wasted a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Bahrain.

Some claim the Malaysians looked rusty, perhaps because they have not played any competitive matches for quite sometime.

Others say the players lacked concentration and made life difficult for themselves.

Kim Swee was at the sidelines that night and should know his boys best. One thing for sure, he is right to say that changes need to done - and they better be done soon before the rot gets even worse.

HD says: It's going to be another long day....

Winds of change?

2012-02-06T22:04:00.005+08:00

IT was their fourth meeting since 2010. Naturally, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) Exco took over four hours to discuss various matters — from management to matchfixing.

The meeting was chaired by FAM deputy-president Tengku Abdullah Shah. The Exco is supposed to meet four times a year.

It was Tengku Abdullah who wanted the Exco meetings, even informally once a month.

Those who sat through the meetings could sense a wind of change. It was obvious Tengku Abdullah had taken over the reins from the president, Sultan Ahmad Shah, who is also his father.

“It is clear he wants to clear the deadwood in FAM. He only wants to work with sincere members,” said an Exco member who declined to be named.

This include introducing radical changes by 2022 with reforms in the national teams and leagues.

Read more here.

Some of the other matters Tengku Abdullah spoke about;

On Tengku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim announcing on twitter he was the new Johor FA president and that FAM was not aware of his “appointment”:

“It’s good and we welcome him.”

(Azzudin stressed “FAM were not informed of Tengku Ismail’s appointment in writing” but was quick to add “Johor FA are in the midst of conducting their congress to conduct the election”.)

HD says: Hmm..

Justice, finally!

2012-02-06T11:41:00.004+08:00

It was the first death anniversary of the late See Kim Leong yesterday.

I called Kim Leong's daughter Marianne See, who is based in Alor Star, and told her about the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) assurance that her mother Audrey McLeod will be finally getting the insurance money of RM50,000.

I wouldn't have expected her to be overjoyed by the assurance. Relieved, maybe. Happy, certainly not.

It was supposed to have been done a long time ago. Yet, Audrey was placed into much agony. Also, Audrey remembers the sum insured as being RM120,000 but now she's only getting RM50,000 - but she doesn't want to kick up a big fuss.

Most importantly, she hopes to see the cheque in her hand. Only then she will consider this chapter closed.

Let's wait and see. The full report is published in today's Mailsport.

For those wanting to refresh their memory, read 'No Insurance'.

HD says: Sigh...

'Turbaned Torpedo' does it again.

2012-02-06T01:03:00.004+08:00

The Hong Kong Marathon served a high and low to runners worldwide.

UK citizen Fauja Singh (pic), who at the age of 100, completed the 10km race in nearly one hour and 34 minutes.

Nicknamed Turbaned Torpedo, Fauja raised 200,000 Hong Kong dollars (RM 77,636) for charity through the event. Read more of Fauja here.

Then there was a 26-year-old runner who died near the finish line, as reported here.

HD says: Contrasting tales indeed.

18 players suspended...

2012-02-05T01:10:00.003+08:00

...but why only announce now?

The FA of Malaysia's (FAM) 4th exco meeting - their fourth sitting since 2010 - met yesterday and spoke on wide range of issues over four hours.

After the meeting, a Press Conference was held. And it was only after a question by NST's Devinder Singh that FAM revealed 18 players from three President's Cup teams (Negri Sembilan, T-Team and MP Muar) were slapped with bans from two to five years.

Rewind to last year, several bookies - two being backroom staff of several President's Cup teams - were arrested and charged in court for match-fixing.

Read the story here.

The exco members also decided to be more open when it comes to criticism and looked at organising road shows to attract more fans to the stadium.

HD says: ......

Now it's Harun v Karim.

2012-02-04T10:10:00.003+08:00

The drama used to be between Malaysian Athletic Union deputy president Karim Ibrahim and National Sports Council director general Zolkples Embong.

Now there is a sideshow between Karim and former national chief coach Harun Rasheed.

Harun claimed "he acted on the orders of Malaysian Athletics Union (MAU) deputy president Karim Ibrahim in telling his athletes to run from drug testers last May."

But "Karim denied Harun's allegation and said he did not tell the coach to do anything. "No, I did not say that to him," said Karim in a text message when asked to comment."

Read the full report in today's NST.

HD says: Another Bollywood flick brought to you by MAU TV.

KL's Inter-Milan connection.

2012-02-03T11:47:00.006+08:00

First we were told Manchester United and Barcelona are visiting KL.

Now word has it Inter Milan may swing by in KL as they are scheduled to play two friendly matches in Indonesia in May.

While that is being sorted out, bottom place Super League team KL are eager to hire former Inter player Loic Lumbilla-Kandja (pic).

Kandja may not be famous like Javeir Zanetti or Thiago Motta but the Frenchman of Congolese origins was attached to Inter's youth academy before playing with the senior team in some pre-season friendly matches as stated in the Italian club's website.

Read more here.

HD says: Wah tak sangka KL tiba-tiba banyak duit...

FAM: It is his choice.

2012-02-03T11:38:00.005+08:00

UPDATE (Feb 4): AFC held a Media get-together at Bangsar Shopping Centre yesterday. AFC gen sec Alex Soosay said;

The player has signed a contract with the club and there are legal implications there. All the players, clubs and the national body are at a high risk of being suspended. Fifa will take very strong action and is liable to impose sanctions if the PSSI does not bring the rebel league under its control.

Read more here.

---------

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have met Safee Sali numerous times.

They have explained the situation enveloping the Indonesian FA (PSSI) and the Indonesian Super League (ISL).

Nevertheless, Safee went on to sign another two-year deal with Pelita Jaya FC valued more than RM2 million - despite the possibility of him not being able to play for the country.

Read FAM: It's his choice.

A little bird told me that Safee could escape the mess nevertheless and still enjoy the big bucks.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are expected to meet the Media in Bangsar (at 3pm) today and are prepared for the questions about Safee. Apparently, the ISL clubs will be deemed illegal but not the players.

Is that so?

Let's wait and see.

HD says: Oh boy...

Missing Medics

2012-02-02T09:14:00.003+08:00

R. Surendran (pic) dislocated his shoulder, was forced to walk from the pitch to the car park and was taken by a Selangor official to the Kelana Jaya Medical Center for further treatment.

There were neither medical officers nor an ambulance on standby to assist the Selangor striker as the Olympic team played Selangor in a friendly match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. The match ended in a goalless draw.

What is Muslim Ahmad, K.Gurusamy or Khairul Fahmi Che Mat had suffered a similar predicament or a life threatening situation?

Would we have prayed and hoped that one of the very many fans who made it to the pitch to take snap shots of the team walking out from the dressing room to be a doctor?

Read today's Mailsport - Where were the medics?

HD says: It's the simple things in life that matters..

Between $ and country...

2012-02-02T08:51:00.004+08:00

Safee Sali has decided to stay on with Pelita Jaya FC in the Indonesian Super League with a more than RM2 million deal over the next two years.

But it could also mean he may not don the national jersey - if ISL and the Indonesian FA (PSSI) mess is not sorted out by end of March.

A ban by Fifa could see Safee missing out from the AFF Cup hosted by Malaysia later this year. Malaysian won the 2010 edition.

Read Big Bucks for Safee, Safee hits the jackpot, and Jutawan Safee.

HD says: Tough call but Safee should know best.