Selangor Journal

FAM seeks fair, equitable ruling from FIFA over North Korea withdrawal

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) sent an official appeal letter to FIFA, the football world governing body requesting a fair and equitable ruling following the withdrawal of North Korea from the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifiers.

FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam said in a statement yesterday that the FAM is asking FIFA to make a decision that is fair for all teams competing in the second round of qualifiers beginning next month.

He explained that North Korea’s withdrawal has led to various possibilities including the points against the last-placed team not being included in the tally.

“This will complicate planning and the chances of most teams as the second round is about to end, with only three or four fixtures remaining,” he said in the statement.

Stuart said in the appeal letter, FAM also stressed that FIFA comes up with a solution or ruling that emphasises Fair Play and takes the factor of sports integrity into consideration.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) yesterday confirmed that the North Korea Football Association withdrew from the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifiers and would refer the matter to FIFA.

North Korea, which was in Group H, with leaders Turkmenistan, South Korea, Lebanon and Sri Lanka was scheduled to finish the remaining group matches in South Korea.

Meanwhile, in another statement, the national team players received limited edition Casio G-Shock Harimau Malaya watches in conjunction with the remaining second-round Group G qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The watches were presented by FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin on the second day of the centralised training camp at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

Malaysia is currently second in Group G, and will play the UAE, Vietnam and Thailand to book a slot in the 2023 Asian Cup finals and the third round qualifiers of the 2022 World Cup.

— Bernama

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