The press conference held by the Football Association of Malaysia was considered a 'disaster'.

Expert Datuk Dr. Pekan believes that the rushed press conference by FAM only added to the confusion, clearly exposing weaknesses in crisis management.

The press conference organized by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was expected to clarify many issues surrounding FIFA’s sanctions against seven naturalized players and FAM itself. However, instead of answering questions and reassuring the public, the event further intensified the turmoil in Malaysian football.

Sports expert Datuk Dr. Pekan Ramli described the press conference as a "disaster," noting that Vice President Datuk S. Sivasundaram was unable to answer many questions clearly, and Malaysia team CEO Rob Friend seemed almost unable to control the flow and guidance of information.

“The press conference should have been used to address questions and calm the situation. But what happened only caused more confusion among the public. Everything was organized too hastily and lacked structure,” he stated while responding to the media at the FAM headquarters.

According to Pekan, the most puzzling aspect was why FAM had to hold such a hurried press conference, especially with the acting FAM President absent. “If it was only to announce the suspension of the Secretary-General, they could have waited a day or two. Rushing as if there was something urgent to reveal immediately is hard to accept,” he said.

The expert also emphasized that the lack of coordination between FAM departments and the Malaysia national team (Malaysia NT) seriously damaged the organization’s image. “It seemed there was no prior communication among the involved parties. During the press conference, each side was unaware of what the others intended to say. This not only caused confusion but also tarnished FAM’s reputation among fans,” he analyzed.

Expert Pekan Ramli asserts that the root problem lies in a lack of professionalism in management and leadership ethics. According to him, “professionalism” is not only about running a team but also about behavior, discipline, and communication skills during a crisis.

“The way FAM handled this matter is shameful. If we continue to address issues in an unprepared and unstrategic manner, it only reflects failure in professional ethics and leadership capability,” expert Pekan Ramli stressed.

The press conference was originally expected to bring transparency and restore fans’ trust, but it backfired. Instead of ending the controversy, FAM now faces increasing criticism over its unprofessional management and crisis handling, at a time when Malaysian football needs stability more than ever.