AFC speaks out as Malaysian football officials resign en masse

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expressed surprise at the unprecedented collective decision by the FAM leadership, where all Executive Committee members resigned simultaneously for the future of Malaysian football.

The Secretary General of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John, conveyed his astonishment and praised the collective resignation of the entire Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Executive Committee, a rare move in the history of regional football governance.

According to Mr. Windsor, the voluntary departure of the FAM Executive Committee members shows a spirit of prioritizing the common good, aiming for the long-term future of Malaysian football rather than personal interests.

“I was truly taken aback witnessing the FAM Executive Committee's decision. As an outsider, I rarely see such a collective, consensual resignation full of unity, done solely for the advancement of national football,” Mr. Windsor shared during a press conference with AFC Deputy Secretary General Vahid Kardany.

The head of AFC’s executive body emphasized that although they were not forced to step down, the FAM Executive Committee members chose to resign, placing the association’s image and reputation above all else. “There are no personal gains involved here. They all agreed this was the right thing to do. It’s a courageous decision that deserves respect,” he added.

Previously, acting FAM President Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi confirmed that the entire 2025–2029 Executive Committee resigned collectively and voluntarily with immediate effect. The decision was made unanimously, motivated by organizational responsibility without any personal benefit or position involved.

This move quickly attracted significant public attention. Former Malaysian Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, also voiced support on her personal page, stating it was the right step for the long-term benefit of the country's football.

“Thank you to the FAM Executive Committee for looking at the bigger picture. The future of national football is placed above positions. Hopefully, FAM will come back stronger after the review and restructuring process,” wrote Hannah Yeoh.

The collective resignation decision by the leadership of FAM not only surprised the AFC but is also seen as a significant milestone, opening the door for comprehensive reform of Malaysian football in the upcoming period.