FAM preparing to explain security breakdown at Malaysia-Saudi match

PETALING JAYA – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said today (Sept 11) that it is preparing answers to explain the security failure when fans recently disrupted the Malaysia-Saudi Arabia World Cup qualifying football match by throwing flares across the field.

FAM deputy president Affandi Hamzah said they have acknowledged the 14-day deadline given by the national sports commissioner and will reply accordingly.

“We have gotten the letter asking us to explain the incident at Shah Alam and we are preparing answers to explain. We will send our letter once we are done,” he said in a press conference at the FAM office.

Affandi added that they will discuss security issues, FAM management and the status of Malaysia’s football teams among other issues in a meeting with their special task force next Monday.

National sports commissioner Zaiton Othman issued an order to FAM on Sept 9 to explain the incident at the Shah Alam Stadium.

Fans threw flares and shot fireworks across the field during the match on Tuesday night, forcing match officials to end the game three minutes before full-time.

So far, 11 individuals believed to be ardent local football supporters from Ultras Malaya have been detained and remanded.

The hooliganism follows Malaysia’s 10-0 defeat to the United Arab Emirates in another World Cup qualifier game last Thursday, a result which news portal The Star Online claimed had prompted the Ultra Malayas to allegedly protest against the FAM. MALAY MAIL ONLINE