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.