FAM to review M-League fixtures next season to avoid clash

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will review the M-League fixtures next season to avoid a clash of dates with international competitions and enable teams to release their players for National duty.

FAM president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said the review would be carried out by the Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) who manage the M-League.

"When planning the fixtures for next year we (FAM) do not want to face problems like this year when some teams did not want to release their players for National duty as per FAM's request due to their league commitment.

"I have discussed with the FMLLP to review the fixtures so that priority can be given to the National team and ensure players can be released early to prepare for big tournaments.

"I will also discuss with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to make sure we have a match schedule that will be suitable," said Tunku Ismail who is also the Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ) after chairing an FAM executive committee meeting, here today.

Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail said the FAM had planned several programmes to source for funds and find sponsors from the private sector so that teams playing in the M-League can be assisted financially.

It is no secret that the FAM have been facing financial difficulties and (FAM) hope the programmes planned can revive the financial situation, he said.

-- BERNAMA