Malaysia All Stars under further scrutiny

KUALA LUMPUR — Asian Football Confederation (AFC) vowed to probe the friendly between Indonesian club Persib and Malaysia All Stars in Bandung on Saturday after they were informed the visiting team were there for a “vacation”.

AFC general secretary Datuk Windsor Paul John said Indonesian football officials revealed they too had no clue about the game at Si Jalat Harupat Stadium.

The visiting team coached by Nick Sham Abdullah lost 4-1.

The match was shown live on MNCTV and the “All Stars” had MNCTV’s brand on their yellow jerseys.

“Many seem to be in the dark. I was later told the Malaysian team were on a holiday,” John said. “Once a national FA is suspended, no such activities can take place. We will investigate this matter further.” 

Indonesia FA were suspended by Fifa in May following government interference in their local league.

Nick Sham could also face suspension said National Coaches Association president B. Satianathan.

The former international said regulations were clear when it came to playing against a suspended body or their affiliates.

“I only found out about the match after reading Malay Mail (on Saturday). We will write to the FA of Malaysia (today) to seek clarification,” he said. 

Satianathan was baffled no one knows the status of the match which was highly publicised in Indonesia.

“You can’t say it was an unsanctioned match as it had the words Malaysia All Stars, there was a crowd. It was covered by the Indonesian press and even aired live,” said the former Malaysian coach. “We will have to consult our legal advisors. We must hear from Nick Sham as he is a member of the association.

“We will then make our recommendations to FAM. They issue coaching licences and have the authority to take action, including suspending the coach.”

Mailsport yesterday reported former Kelantan defender S. Subramaniam lodged a police report on Saturday after his image, donning a Red Warriors’ jersey, was used in a promotional poster.

He said it was misrepresentation and he had nothing to do with the “All Stars”.

Two other faces were seen on the poster —  T-Team defender Mohamad Faizal Muhammad and a foreigner.

Subramaniam last played for the Kelantan in 2013 before joining Johor Darul Takzim last season and Selangor (this year).