Minister Apologises Over Comment On Adding Teams To Super League

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Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu apologised to all Malaysians over a statement he made in a video that went viral yesterday about “adding” teams to the Super League next season.
He also apologised to Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Hamidin Mohd Amin dan FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam for mentioning their names in the video that sparked an uproar on social media yesterday.
“It is my mistake to have issued the statement… So I would like to apologise to all Malaysians for the error. Alhamdulillah I have learnt from the mistake I made before officially beginning my duties.
“Today, as a minister, I need to know what should and shouldn’t be said. Insya Allah moving forward, I promise all Malaysians and sports fans that I will work hard with deputy minister Ti Lian Ker and my colleagues at the ministry to improve the quality of sports, and not to talk politics and unnecessary things,” he said.
He said this at a media conference after he and Ti reported for duty at Menara KBS in Putrajaya today.
Yesterday, a video in which Faizal mentioned that Perak FC, which risks being relegated from the Super League this season, had a chance of remaining in the first division league if the number of competing teams were increased from 16 to 21.
Stuart, who will begin his duties as Malaysia Football League (MFL) chief executive officer, however, denied having discussed the matter, while MFL president Ab Ghani Hassan said the Malaysia League promotion and relegation format would remain as they were.
FAM can be suspended by the football world governing body, FIFA if the government interferes with its administration.
Faizal also promised that he would cooperate with all parties to increase the quality of Malaysian football, including at the grassroots level.
- Bernama

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