'Crooked football players should quit': Malaysia

FOOTBALLERS involved in match-fixing should quit and never take up the sport as their career in the first place, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Sultan Ahmad Shah said yesterday. Frustrated with the allegations of match-fixing in the local league, he said the menace was a threat to the number one sport in the country.

The sultan noted that footballers were paid high salaries by their state football associations.

"They earn a lot and I don't understand why some of them still get involved in match-fixing. For his hard work and effort on the field, a footballer is rewarded well.

"But instead of guiding their team to win honours and contributing to the development of football in the country, some irresponsible players have chosen to let their fans down by getting involved in match-fixing," he said after launching the construction of a new bridge in Kampung Kawah in Sungai Lembing, near here yesterday.

The sultan issued a stern reminder to all footballers, saying that he would not tolerate match-fixing.

"It is a sin to accept bribes and as a true professional footballer with a deep interest in the game, one should always play his heart out during matches.

"Do not disappoint the people, who are huge fans and always eager to watch quality football played in the country."

The sultan said he agreed with FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah's suggestion to curb match-fixing by introducing the 3E concept -- enforcement, engagement and education -- and hoped this would tackle the problem.

After a meeting with representatives of Fifa, the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday, Tengku Abdullah said FAM would also conduct monthly checks on payment of players' salaries and would take stern action against teams that failed to pay on time.

He said two warnings would be issued to the teams and if they committed the offence a third time, they could be expelled from the league.