AFC says FAM mass resignations mean nothing without genuine reform and accountability measures.
THE Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has stressed that a mass resignation by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) executive committee would be pointless unless it is accompanied by comprehensive structural reforms, clarifying that such a move was never directed by the continental body.
According to New Straits Times, AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said the idea of a blanket resignation did not originate from the AFC, noting that the organisation had only outlined possible options to FAM without issuing instructions.
“We are not forcing anyone. We just put those things on the table. They have to make the decision,” he was quoted as saying, when asked if the proposal came from the AFC.
Windsor cautioned that stepping down without meaningful change would amount to little more than a symbolic act.
“Resigning just for the sake of resigning… better you don’t resign,” he said, adding that genuine accountability could only be achieved through statute reviews, policy checks and a full administrative audit.
According to Windsor, resignation and reform must go hand in hand, forming a single, inseparable process.
“You need to make those reforms as part of your resignation and the elections,” he said.
He warned that the situation could have serious international repercussions if mishandled, including possible action from FIFA.
“They are looking at probably… an action by FIFA with regard to… like as bad as suspension, if the case is going not the right way,” he said.
Windsor explained that FAM now stands at a crossroads — either take responsibility for its own overhaul or face intervention through a FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee.
“In any organisation you have two choices — one is forced upon you, or one you change yourself,” he said.
He added that any AFC audit would only take place after a decision is made by the FAM executive committee and would depend on the scale of the governance issues involved.
“Before you go to the doctor, you don’t know how sick you are. We need to run the tests first to see what is actually wrong,” he said.
Ultimately, Windsor said the fate of the proposed reforms hinges on the outcome of the upcoming FAM exco meeting, warning that a reversal would derail the entire process.
“If they decide they are not resigning, then all this is null and void.”
It was reported previously that several senior FAM figures had submitted their resignations in an attempt to protect the association from a potential FIFA suspension.
