KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) leadership crisis risks undermining sponsor confidence and derailing its financial targets, warned veteran sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli.
His remarks followed the abrupt resignation of FAM president Datuk Joehari Ayub yesterday, barely six months after taking office.
Deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi has been appointed acting president until next year’s congress, when a new leader will be elected to complete the term.
Speaking to Scoop, Pekan said the upheaval sends the wrong signal to potential partners at a crucial time for the national body.
“Political stability and sound governance are key factors in attracting sponsorship. Sponsors would be reluctant to collaborate with an association plagued by problems,” he said when contacted.
“FAM is already RM7 million short of its RM15 million annual sponsorship target, with only four months left. If this instability persists, it will erode the confidence of strategic partners and disrupt preparations for major tournaments.
He argued that the resignation points to deeper internal manoeuvring rather than a failure of leadership.
“Personally, I do not view Joehari’s resignation as a reflection of poor leadership but rather as the result of an internal conspiracy that seems to have been planned even before FAM’s election congress in February,” Pekan said.
“The line-up for the 2025–2027 executive committee appears to have been arranged in such a way. There is political influence at play and this raises questions as to whether Joehari was sidelined through unhealthy manoeuvring.
Pekan added that the episode has already sparked damaging perceptions among football fans and stakeholders.
“There are now accusations of betrayal of the mandate, collusion, hypocrisy, cronyism, and lust for power overshadowing the association’s work,” he said.
He further warned that the turmoil could damage FAM’s international reputation.
“If FIFA were to learn the truth behind this resignation, it would surely not want to legitimise such unhealthy manoeuvring within a national football association,” he added.
Meanwhile, FAM recently revealed it remains about RM7 million short of its RM15 million sponsorship goal for the year.
Marketing and sponsorship committee chairman Datuk Hisamudin Yahaya said between RM7 million and RM8 million had been secured so far, and the remaining funds are vital for the smooth running of the association and the national teams’ preparations.
It was reported that Hisamudin is confident that the target could still be met despite only four months remaining. – August 28, 2025