Pahang's decision to reject AFC'S offer to play in AFC Cup disrespectful: FAM

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pahang Football Association's shocking decision to turn down the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) offer to play in the 2018 AFC Cup, may sound disrespectful said Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Technical Director, Peter De Roo.
De Roo who was appointed last July by FAM in its efforts to restructure the football development, said the decision made by Pahang FA would give a negative impact on FAM in its quest to uplift the local football scene.
"We want football to progress further at the international arena since it would enable us to get maximum exposure at the highest level. Unfortunately, it would be a difficult task to achieve such status if the teams do not take international competitions seriously.
"The action of the Pahang team to reject the AFC competition clearly illustrates a lack of respect for the AFC. Such actions may affect the country's rankings as well as compromise the good relationship that the FAM has with the AFC," De Roo was quoted as saying in the latest statement posted in the FAM official Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Pahang FA secretary-general Norlia Abdul Manaf yesterday said they decided to reject AFC's offer to play in the 2018 AFC Cup so as to enable the team to focus on domestic competitions. — Bernama