KUALA LUMPUR: Is the FA of Malaysia (FAM) getting leaner and meaner by booting out some of its staff?
There are claims that up to 22 FAM administrative staff were recently retrenched, barely a month after the new leadership took office.
Former FAM head of marketing Sayf Che Ismail said the national football body should clarify whether the retrenchments were linked to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) audit.
Earlier this year, AFC carried out a four-month governance and financial audit of FAM
following the naturalised players scandal which led to sanctions by FIFA.
"A month after the new president was installed, I've heard that around 20 FAM staff were let go, some who have served more than 15 years, with only three months' compensation," Sayf said.
"I am unsure if it is a result of the AFC audit, as the full findings of the audit have not been shared with the public. I feel that given the situation FAM is in, which is under a lot of scrutiny and a deficit of public trust, they should come clean with the audit and explain how it has caused, if it did, the termination of employment of some 20 staff."
Sayf said the former FAM employees could struggle to find new jobs because football was a niche industry with limited opportunities.
He said if the dismissals were unrelated to the AFC audit, the affected staff should have received proper consideration and explanations.
Timesport has contacted FAM for clarification, but has yet to receive a response.
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