52-year age gap no hurdle as Malaysian football legend Abdah Alif, 72, weds 20-year-old

Malaysian football legend Datuk Abdah Alif, 72, has reportedly married a woman believed to be 20 years old, with the wedding taking place in Kuala Terengganu on Aug 27.

A photo circulating online show the couple at their wedding ceremony, prompting questions among local football fans about Abdah's marital status.

His younger brother, Datuk Yunus Alif, later confirmed the marriage, saying both families had approved the union, the New Straits Times (NST) reported on Monday (Sept 7).

Yunus, who is also a former national player and coach, said there were no problems with the marriage and wished the couple happiness.

"They might be on their honeymoon now, that's why he's not answering calls. What's certain is that they are indeed married, and we wish them both the very best," he said, as quoted by local media outlet Sinar Daily.

A close source, a former teammate of Abdah, also confirmed that the wedding picture is genuine and that the ceremony involving the couple was understood to have taken place recently, according to NST.

The source, however, did not provide further information on the date or location of the ceremony.

Abdah was part of Malaysia's national squad during the country's golden era of football in the late 1970s and early 1980s and helped the team qualify on merit for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

But the team never made it to Moscow after Malaysia boycotted the Games in protest against the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

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helmy.saat@asiaone.com