The government has the right to advise the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on the security situation before sending the national team to compete in tournaments abroad.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the government's decision to ban Harimau Malaysia from going to North Korea should not be seen as intervention in the affairs of the FAM.

"This is because the national football team comprise Malaysians. Only the government can make a security assessment, not a sports association," he told reporters after the Ministry of Youth and Sports Excellent Service Awards ceremony at the International Youth Centre, here today.

Yesterday, the government banned Harimau Malaysia from leaving for Pyongyang for the 2019 Asian Cup qualifier against North Korea on March 28.

This followed the government's decision to declare North Korean ambassador Kang Chol as persona non grata, leading to his expulsion from the country.

Meanwhile, FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the government's ban on North Korea travel only affected the players and the fans, not the national football administration.

"FIFA's interpretation of intervention is if any member of the FAM makes a complaint to FIFA. In this case, the FAM agree's with the government's decision because it involves security.

"We stand by the government's decision to play the 2019 Asian Cup tie at a neutral ground," he told reporters after the launch of the Best Player of the Month Award by the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) here, today. -- Bernama