KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia Football League (MFL) president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan has yet to decide whether to contest the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) presidency, despite being confirmed as eligible to vie for the country’s top football post.
Speaking to Scoop, Ghani said he had been informed by the FAM election committee that he had cleared the eligibility screening but was still considering whether to accept the nomination ahead of next month’s elective congress.
With the 2026-2027 M-League season set to kick off on Aug 21, Ghani said his immediate priority was ensuring the new campaign gets off to a smooth start.
“I was informed by the election committee that I am eligible to contest the FAM presidency. However, I am still considering whether to do so because we at MFL are also preparing for the start of the new season.
“My focus is on that first — making sure the 2026-2027 Malaysia League season runs well and smoothly.
“It is difficult for me to say much about this (my nomination) at the moment. I have not made any decision yet,” he said briefly when contacted.
Ghani is one of three individuals previously reported to have been nominated for the FAM presidency, alongside FAM honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin and Selangor Football Association (FAS) deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar.
The development comes as FAM moves closer to its elective congress, with the final list of candidates expected to be announced early next month.
It was previously reported that 31 candidates had cleared the screening process to contest various positions at the FAM elective congress for the 2025-2029 term.
The screening process involved verifying candidates against requirements under the FAM statutes, as well as checks conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Malaysian Department of Insolvency.
Candidates who have cleared the screening must now decide whether to accept or decline their nominations for positions on the FAM Executive Committee.
FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman previously said the final list of candidates contesting the election is expected to be announced early next month. – August 12, 2026