FAM waiting for AFC's reply regarding visa snag of Pahang's foreign players

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is waiting for a reply from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on the visa snag of Pahang's foreign players who were stuck at a Jakarta airport on May 23.

Its general secretary, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said they had sent a letter to the AFC disciplinary committee on the matter four days ago.

"The FAM supports the stand taken by the Pahang Football Association (PBNP) in the issue.

"I will not preempt the decision of the AFC disciplinary committee. They will make a decision either today or tomorrow," he told reporters at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya today.

The Pahang squad who arrived in Jakarta on May 23 were shocked when told that three of their four foreign players were denied visas.

"Nwakaeme Dickson, Damion Stewart and Zesh Rehman had no visas. However, Matias Conti and the Malaysian players did not have a problem.

"Match officials also experienced a similar problem. Frustrated by the turn of events, PBNP ordered the Pahang squad to take the next flight home.

Pahang are Group G runners-up of the AFC Cup tournament. Pahang were scheduled to play against Persipura Jayapura of Indonesia in the second round of the AFC Cup at Mandala Stadium yesterday.