Teams aspiring to sign up foreign players for the forthcoming Malaysian Super League have been warned to adhere to procedures and guidelines that are in place lest run foul of regulations.
In issuing this warning, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, the Deputy President Football Association of Malaysia said that using unregistered or unqualified player agents could affect the registration process as it would run foul of FIFA regulations governing Players Agents.
It is a timely piece of advice as there is a sudden influx of foreign players undergoing trials with several teams aspiring to sign foreign players.
"I hope all the teams are aware of the needs and requirements before bringing in imported players," said Tengku Abdullah when contacted in Johannesburg where he is watching the Malaysian Hockey team in action in the Champions Challenge I tournament.
"All
teams are advised to use only FIFA Official Players Agents. This is to protect
their interest as well and I hope there will be no issues pertaining to this.
"The FAM Vetting Committee will have to play their role and I hope all
teams and foreign players will collaborate with each other in order to make
the FAM administration in order."
There have been reports of some unauthorised personalities and even event management companies bringing in foreign players for trials with several states and clubs.
Tengku Abdullah also voiced his disappointment with the failure of the Olympic Squad to hold on to their two goal advantage against Bahrain in an Olympic qualifiers match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
"Based on past records playing Bahrain has never been in our
favor. Still it would have been nice if they had maintained their composure in the
last few minutes and win that match," added Tengku Abdullah.
"Maybe it was due to the pressure and weak
mental strength that attributed to our defeat. This is where we need to
improve on our weaknesses."
