Malaysia reverses decision to withdraw from AFF Cup 2016

(Baonghean.vn) - Following moves by the Malaysian government to seriously consider withdrawing from the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016, the Secretary General of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) affirmed that the national football team will not accept this proposal. Simultaneously, the Malaysian government cabinet has also issued an official statement.

According to The Star of Malaysia, a representative from the Ministry of Youth and Sports stated that the Malaysian government will take further action to protest the crimes against the Rohingya people in Rakhine State, northwestern Myanmar: "The Cabinet discussed the situation of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Ultimately, we decided not to withdraw from the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016, but we will not abandon our deep concern about the escalating violence in Rakhine State if it does not stop.”

The Malaysian government respects the rules of the game set by FIFA.

Mr. Khairy Jamaluddin added: “The Malaysian government is also aware that the boycott of the 2016 AFF Cup in Myanmar will put the Football Association of Malaysia at risk of severe sanctions from FIFA. We are very concerned about what has happened in Myanmar, but we have also considered FIFA sanctions and made this decision.”

Datuk Mohd Hamidin, Secretary General of the Football Association of Malaysia and also Head of the Malaysian National Team delegation at the Southeast Asian Football Championship (AFF Cup), had previously spoken out in defense of the national football team's rights against the Ministry of Youth & Sports' reactions to the Rohingya Muslim conflict in northwestern Myanmar.

“Football has nothing to do with religion, politics, or class, and that's the reality. If Malaysia wanted to withdraw, this decision should have been made from the beginning, not now because of escalating violence and giving up halfway through. We are playing well in the group stage. If we are lucky, we can absolutely advance to the semi-finals and the final. Why should the Football Association of Malaysia and the national team be affected by the conflict in Myanmar? Withdrawing from the AFF Cup will affect the morale of the players. Don't force football to be a scapegoat in this matter,” said Datuk Mohd Hamidin.

The Malaysian national team's performance is being affected by escalating violence and conflict.

Previously, tensions in Rakhine, Myanmar, resulted in the deaths of approximately 86 Rohingya, and displaced 30,000 people. The Malaysian cabinet called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to withdraw the national team from the 2016 AFF Cup in protest against the Myanmar government's treatment of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine State.

With this decision, the Football Association of Malaysia and the Malaysian national team can now focus their efforts on the regional tournament. In Group B, after winning their opening match against Cambodia 3-2 and losing to Vietnam 0-1, securing 3 points, Coach Ong Kim Swee's team must win against host Myanmar in their final group stage match tomorrow (November 26th) to qualify for the semi-finals.

Trung Kien