Fearful that Malaysia might circumvent FIFA rules, the AFC must act immediately.

Malaysian media report that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will probably step in directly to oversee and supervise the election process of the new Executive Committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in the near future.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is entering a turbulent phase as the election for the new Executive Committee approaches under FIFA’s “watchful eye.” Malaysian media state that the AFC will intervene directly and supervise this election process, making Malaysia’s chances of “evading sanctions” slimmer than ever.

This information was simultaneously published by reputable newspapers such as Harian Metro and Stadium Astro. Accordingly, the AFC will send representatives as supervisors to ensure the transparency of the FAM election. “Immediately after the mass resignation of FAM Executive Committee members this week, the election will take place, and the AFC will send observers to supervise,”Harian Metro reported.

The mass resignation of the FAM Executive Committee has been perceived by Malaysian public opinion not merely as a personnel reshuffle but possibly as a strategic move to avoid the risk of heavy sanctions from FIFA. Last month, AFC Secretary General Windsor John openly warned that FAM faces a serious risk of “losing its autonomy.”

According to Windsor John, FIFA has various levels of intervention. In the most severe scenario, FIFA could dissolve the entire old leadership and appoint officials to directly manage FAM. This is considered the harshest punishment, equivalent to “dissolving” a national football association, which could set Malaysian football back many years due to the resulting passivity.

On a lesser level, FIFA might allow FAM to continue functioning but impose mandatory conditions for transparent elections under international supervision. Malaysian media report that on January 28, all FAM Executive Committee members will resign simultaneously, and “these members might run for re-election,” according to a previous statement by acting FAM President Yusoff Mahadi.

Therefore, AFC’s direct supervision of the election is seen as a “barrier” to prevent any evasive tactics. Amid FAM’s ongoing appeal of the illegal player naturalization scandal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), AFC’s presence sends a clear message: Malaysian football will find it difficult to continue avoiding strict sanctions from FIFA.