Malaysia considers withdrawing from AFF Suzuki Cup 2016

(Baonghean.vn) - While the match between Vietnam and Malaysia in the group stage of the 2016 AFF Cup was taking place in Myanmar, the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports held a press conference to consider the possibility of withdrawing from this tournament.

Accordingly, the reason given by Mr. Khairy Jamaluddin - an official of the Ministry of Youth & Sports of this country for this decision is to protest the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority, despite the fact that the World Football Federation (FIFA) will give Malaysian football a heavy penalty.

A representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports spoke at a press conference held on the afternoon of November 23 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (photo: Reuters).

“When we learned that Myanmar was going to host the AFF Cup, this decision was based on recent reports from Rakhine State (Myanmar) showing evidence of attacks. Regardless of FIFA and AFF’s response, we must continue to speak out,” Khairy Jamaluddin told reporters at a press conference.

The issue was raised by the Malaysian government last week, but according to the press conference, an official decision will be made next Friday when a meeting between the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Football Association of Malaysia concludes.

After the 0-1 defeat to Vietnam in the second match, Malaysia is temporarily ranked 2nd in Group B with 3 points. If the decision to withdraw from the AFF Cup 2016 by the Malaysian Football Federation is officially made, it will certainly receive strong reactions from football fans in this country as well as the World Football Federation (FIFA) for the government's deep intervention in football.

Malaysian football (white) is facing a ban from FIFA if it withdraws from the 2016 AFF Cup (Photo: Reuters).

Previously, four key players of the Malaysian national team, Aidil Zafuan, Safiq Rahim, Kunanlan Subramaniam and Amirul Zainal, announced their retirement from international football just over three months before the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup./.

Trung Kien