KL reporters barred from soccer matches

KL reporters barred from soccer matches

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Two Malaysian state soccer associations, alleging unfair reporting by three local newspapers, yesterday barred reporters from covering the current Malaysian league matches.

The Sabah Football Association (FA) has barred reporters from the New Straits Times and the afternoon daily, The Malay Mail, from covering its matches with immediate effect after they were alleged to have ridiculed the officials.

The Sabah FA alleged the reporters had written constant defamatory and unconstructive criticisms about the association.

Association president Anifah Aman also lambasted the reporters. He was quoted by The Malay Mail as saying "I was a millionaire at 25 and have a degree in philosophy. What's the qualification of the reporters who wrote the articles?"

An official of the Pahang Football Association also called for the withdrawal of stadium passes to reporters from the Malay- language Utusan Malaysia with immediate effect.

Pahang FA vice-president Jamal Nasir Ismail alleged the Utusan Malaysia had misquoted him when it reported he had given four players the ultimatum to quit the team or face being fired for poor performance.

Jamal has denied making the statements.

Paul Mony Samuel, general secretary of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), told AFP he had told the reporters to take up the issue with the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia.

"I have also advised the reporters to write to the FAM about their grouses. The FAM council will look into the grouses once we have received a written report," Samuel said.