Don't criticise or question Mohd Faiz's Puskas award win - Khairy

Penang striker Mohd Faiz Subri's win at the 2016 FIFA Awards in Zurich, Switzerland should not be questioned or criticised, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said those who criticised the player's success in winning the Puskas Award have actually not made any form of contribution to the country.

"Those who criticise or question Mohd Faiz's win are those who have not won any awards at the international arena.

"Therefore, these critics must look at the pride and honour the player has brought to the country, instead of 'crying' out petty issues," said Khairy who was at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to welcome Mohd Faiz who arrived from Dubai, here Wednesday.

Despite the historic feat by Mohd Faiz, some had claimed that the spectacular 'physics-defying' goal that he had scored was due to luck while some questioned his decision to not wear the 'Baju Melayu' that was presented by a non-governmental organisation before the awards night.

Johor Darul Ta'zim owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had said Mohd Faiz's achievement was not a benchmark for the status of football in the country.

Mohd Faiz's spectacular goal earned 59.46 per cent of the votes compared with his rivals Johnath Marlone Azevedo da Silva from Brazil (22.86 per cent) and Daniuska Rodriguez from Venezuela (10.01 per cent).

Mohd Faiz's 30-metre free kick in the 62nd minute of the 4-1 win over Pahang at the City Stadium on Feb 16 was initially among 10 nominees for the world's best goal of the year.

The Puskas Award was introduced in 2009 to recognise the best goal of the year.

Mohd Faiz thus joined an elite band of players to win the award, including famous names like Cristiano Ronaldo (2009), Neymar (2011), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2013) and James Rodriguez (2014). -- Bernama