The resignation of the Football Association president shakes Malaysian football due to naturalization issues

Malaysian football is shaken as FAM President Joehari Ayub is reported to have submitted his resignation after less than six months in office, leaving a power vacuum amid internal turmoil.

The top leadership of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is undergoing major upheaval following news that President Joehari Ayub submitted his resignation on August 22. He had only taken office in February and was the first president from the state of Sabah. Although health reasons were officially cited, this occurred at a time when internal disputes over the policy of naturalizing players were intensifying, raising many suspicions among the public.

The New Straits Times reported: “It is known that Joehari Ayub handed in his resignation on August 22 due to health reasons. So far, FAM has remained silent.” His absence since the meeting on August 11 has only fueled speculation that the matter is more complex than just personal issues.

Joehari Ayub succeeded Tan Sri Hamidin Amin in February, with a term expected to last until 2029. From the start, he attracted attention with a large-scale player naturalization campaign. This policy clearly strengthened the Malaysian national team, exemplified by the 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. However, it also sparked fierce controversy over the transparency of the naturalized players’ origins, creating underlying tensions within FAM.

FAM’s silence regarding the president’s resignation news has caused an uproar on social media. One frustrated fan commented: “He just took office not long ago and already resigned; FAM must provide a clear explanation. Malaysian football belongs to the people, FAM cannot remain silent.”

Additionally, many voices are calling for leadership change. One supporter suggested: “Khairy Jamaluddin should be appointed as the new FAM president. He is young, passionate about football, and currently holds no political position. He could bring fresh ideas to revive Malaysian football.”

Meanwhile, Vice President Yusoff Mahadi – reportedly the frontrunner to succeed – gave a brief reply when questioned: “Wait for next time, we will know next week.” This ambiguity has only increased the anger among Malaysians.

If confirmed, Joehari Ayub’s sudden departure will have significant consequences for Malaysian football. The national team has gained attention with a resounding 4-0 win over Vietnam, but the underlying conflicts within FAM’s leadership could distract from preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup.

The naturalization policy, which initially strengthened Malaysia, has now become a source of division, while the vacant president position risks prolonging instability. If FAM does not soon respond and redefine its direction, Malaysian football might miss a golden opportunity to advance, and fan trust will rapidly erode.

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