Sports Minister supports the FAM-FAS deal

Malaysian Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek has urged the public to keep a positive outlook on the recently penned deal between the Football Association of Malaysia(FAM) and Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

 

Ahmad Shabery was responding to fears about the deal which will see both countries' development teams cross the Causeway, which some fear could cause a recurrence of match-fixing that has troubled both nations in the past.

"This (deal) is a healthy development for both countries and we should focus on the positive aspects instead of worrying about what could go wrong, which will just serve to hamper the progress we are trying to make," said Ahmad Shabery.

"Bookies are everywhere and even if we do not send them (Young Tigers) over, they will still be exposed to them (bookies). We will deal with the match-fixing issue separately. The Young Tigers, who will play in Singapore, will also be under close observation to prevent any untoward incidents."

 

Ahmad Shabery, who was speaking after flagging off competitors of the Olympic Day Run at Dataran Merdeka yesterday, added that he was hoping to see the formation of an Asean football league similar to basketball's Asean Basketball League to help boost interest in the game and create better income for players to keep them from getting involved in match-fixing.

"Such a league can help spur the interest of people in the region and will lead to more income from television rights, sponsorship and ticket sales," said Ahmad Shabery.

"More income for the players will help keep them from being enticed to accept bribes from bookies and will help to keep the game clean."