Tony Fernandes gets nod from netizens to lead FAM
Madiha Abdullah
September 10, 2016 14:57 MYT
September 10, 2016 14:57 MYT
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes is also owner of English football club Queens Park Rangers.
Many names were being suggested to replace Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) chairman Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah who is expected to step down next year.
One of the most prominent name suggested is AirAsia boss Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, who is also owner of English football club Queens Park Rangers.
In a recent interview with Astro Arena at a function to commemorate South-East Asia’s Rio 2016 Olympic heroes in Bangkok, the AirAsia group chief executive officer said he will consider the proposal if the FAM want him to lead.
Many netizens had thrown their support for Fernandes to lead the FAM.
Majority of them said given Fernandes vast experience as a businessman, free from politics and passion for football, he could drive the FAM to greater heights.
However, there were some who questioned if Fernandes truly had the credibility to lead the national football team, especially one laden with various issues.
They said leading a corporate company is not the same as helming a football association.
Before this, Johor Crown Prince, Tengku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim or TMJ as he is fondly known, was touted as the best person to take over from Tengku Abdullah who won the post in 2014.
But, TMJ had announced that he is not interested in the job.
On Aug 26, TMJ had handed over to Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin a pen drive containing information and activities within the FAM.
Khairy had handed over the pendrive to the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) but the commission later announced that it found no elements of corruption in its probe.