General Department of Sports and Physical Training: 'Malaysia cannot ignore the rules and take advantage of the SEA Games'

Deputy General Director Tran Duc Phan said that even though they are the host, Malaysia still has to follow football rules and cannot demand to choose their own group.

Malaysia took advantage of being the host and had an advantage in football at the 29th SEA Games. Photo: Duc Dong.

"Malaysia's demand to choose their own group at the 29th SEA Games is unreasonable. Even though they are the host, they still need to follow FIFA and AFC rules," Tran Duc Phan, Deputy Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, Head of the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 28th SEA Games, told VnExpress.

In the preliminary regulations sent to the Football Federations in Southeast Asia by Malaysia, the host of the 29th SEA Games has given the right to wait for the teams to draw lots first, then choose their own groups. This allows them to avoid strong groups or choose a group of five teams to play one less match than the other groups, avoiding losing strength if they reach the semi-finals.

"Waiting for the draw to choose the group is unacceptable, unprecedented, and unfair to other teams. When the Heads of Delegations meet, we will give our opinions. In addition, the Vietnam Olympic Committee and VFF must also speak out strongly in opposition," Mr. Phan added.

VFF General Secretary Le Hoai Anh said that Malaysia's request to choose the group itself is unreasonable. VFF will make a proposal to the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) and the 29th SEA Games Organizing Committee.

AFF Secretary General Ahmad Azzuddin also said that Malaysia's request to choose the group was "unprecedented" and "unreasonable". However, he said that the SEA Games is a private playground, and the AFF has no right to interfere. Whether or not this can be changed will have to wait for the meeting of the Olympic Committee and the Heads of Delegations at the SEA Games.

According to VNE