FAM mulls over using foreign referees for coming season

Nevertheless, FAM president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said at the same time, the suggestion to be considered would not ignore and devalue existing referees in the country.

"We must study the matter deeply ... God willing, the coming season. I will hold courses for local referees soon and discuss the matter," he said.

Tengku Abdullah was speaking to reporters after a ceremony to hand over the state flag to media practitioners in Pahang taking part in an expedition to Mount Fansipan in Vietnam from Nov 4 to 11.

The proposal to use foreign referees had been voiced prior to this by Tengku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who is also Johor Football Association president, following his disappointment at the quality of refereeing shown by referees in several matches involving the JDT team.

Meanwhile, commenting on the final match of the Malaysia Cup between the Pahang team and JDT at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Nov 1, Tengku Abdullah urged both teams to display quality and make it an interesting game.

"I also want to remind supporters of both teams to be more disciplined, come and go in an orderly manner, and not create problems for the police," he said, urging the supporters of both teams against bringing anything dangerous into the stadium.

Tengku Abdullah said he had also directed FAM and the police to make detailed preparations for the final match, including security and traffic control.

Pahang qualified for the final with an aggregate of 6-3 after beating Kedah, while JDT advanced with an aggregate of 6-5 after beating Felda United 3-1 at a second semi-final match at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin, Johor Tuesday.