KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must confront the full consequences of FIFA’s sanctions or risk plunging the country’s football system into deeper turmoil, senior sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli warned as debate intensifies over the world body’s scathing Motivated Decision report.
Speaking to Scoop, Pekan said the 64-page document had “stripped Malaysian football bare”, exposing serious failures within FAM and delivering what he described as an unmistakable message of anger from Zurich.
He said the tone of the report was unusually sharp and laced with frustration — suggested that FIFA felt deceived.
“It is as though FIFA had something it had long wanted to express — almost screaming: ‘You deceived us, you colluded, you provided false and illogical statements!’”
“What is even more embarrassing is the stubbornness, the refusal to admit wrongdoing, and the fact that no one has dared to be accountable,” he added.
Pekan cautioned that the report’s warnings, directives to the implicated players’ countries, and FIFA’s plan to conduct a direct internal investigation into FAM must not be dismissed.
“This report is like a red final notice from Tenaga Nasional Berhad before the power is cut. If we fail to act, our football will freeze, and the public backlash will only worsen.”
He urged all parties involved to stop deflecting blame and accept responsibility.
“Have the courage to be truthful, however painful it is. Whisper it if you must but reveal who caused this humiliating mess.”
According to Pekan, the “drama of deceit” no longer convinces anyone, because FIFA has already seen through the charade.
Quoting a Malay proverb, he said:
“A dead elephant cannot be covered with a sieve. The stench has spread worldwide. Our stubbornness will make us a laughingstock.”
Malaysia’s football reputation within AFC and FIFA circles, he said, has already taken a severe hit.
“Let this regret be the moment we rebuild our football and not a continuation of ego-driven decisions.”
He warned that FIFA’s irritation could escalate into heavier consequences if Malaysia continues to stall.
“Do not let a single drop of dye ruin the entire pot of milk.”
On whether FAM should appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Pekan urged the association to realistically assess its position.
“Read the report thoroughly. Do a SWOT analysis. Is there genuinely any advantage for FAM to challenge FIFA? There is no shame in loosening the kite string when the wind is too strong — if you pull harder, it may snap and drift out of reach.”
He said public trust has already been “severely eroded”, although some still cling to alternative narratives designed to defend FAM.
“We are dealing with the world’s highest football authority — one far more unforgiving than any other sporting organisation.”
If CAS upholds FIFA’s sanctions, he warned, Malaysia could face further repercussions, including the national team’s ranking falling below 150 and the possibility of Harimau Malaya being suspended from the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Pekan stressed that no court would condone document forgery unless there were procedural flaws. More critically, he said FIFA’s order for FAM to identify the person responsible must be taken seriously.
“Protecting the guilty will only provoke FIFA further and invite disaster for FAM and Malaysian football. This demands absolute transparency and the courage to prioritise national interest over individuals,” he said. – November 19, 2025