KUCHING: AirAsia founder Tony Fernandes could play a key role in rebuilding the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) following the recent governance crisis, says sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli.
Pekan believes Fernandes’ corporate experience could prove valuable if he were to assume a leadership role within the national football body.
“I believe if he were chosen as FAM president, Tony Fernandes is a figure capable of restructuring and rebuilding the image of FAM and the Malaysian football ecosystem after the heavy blow it has suffered.
“As the founder of AirAsia, he has proven capability in restructuring organisations and building viable commercial ecosystems. FAM urgently needs this kind of expertise,” Pekan told Sarawak Tribune when contacted.
Beyond business credentials, Pekan also highlighted Fernandes’ long-standing involvement in international sport.
“We know that he was previously co-owner of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers and also owned PJ Rangers, formerly known as AirAsia Allstars.
“He was also a key stakeholder in Lotus Racing during its Formula One campaign, which shows his exposure to world-class sports management,” he said.
According to Pekan, the presence of a respected corporate figure could help restore confidence among corporate partners and sponsors following the crisis that has shaken Malaysian football.
“FAM’s reputation has been severely damaged following the issue involving seven players, which triggered a major crisis within the association.
“The entire executive committee eventually resigned, showing how deeply the controversy has affected the organisation”,he said.
He added that the association’s attempt to appeal FIFA’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was unsuccessful and the financial penalty against FAM remained in place.
“FAM is also now awaiting a possible decision from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regarding Malaysia’s status in the Asian Cup 2027 qualification campaign,” he added.
Pekan said rebuilding credibility would be crucial in convincing corporate partners to continue investing in Malaysian football.
While Fernandes’ corporate credentials may offer solutions, Pekan cautioned that bringing corporate leadership into football governance would not be without challenges.
“In reality there are many obstacles for someone from a corporate background entering football administration in Malaysia.
“Corporate leaders usually prioritise efficiency, return on investment and clear performance indicators, whereas football requires patience, long-term development and sometimes decisions influenced by emotion and the passion of supporters,” Pekan said.
He added that internal politics and traditional administrative structures within football organisations could further complicate reform efforts.
“Bringing a corporate boardroom mindset into football can be like bringing it into a dressing room filled with politics, ego and emotion,” he said.
Nevertheless, he stressed that meaningful reform within FAM must focus on improving governance and restoring integrity within the national body.
“In my view, the most important reform is restructuring FAM’s governance through strategic partnerships to strengthen professionalism and transparency.
“Reforms must also prioritise grassroots development while strengthening administrative structures so that changes produce lasting impact rather than superficial adjustments.
“Most importantly, the culture of cronyism and nepotism must be set aside, with no bias in administrative and competition matters,” he added.
The speculation surrounding Fernandes’ potential involvement comes after the entire FAM Executive Committee resigned earlier this year following the eligibility controversy involving seven naturalised players, leaving Malaysian football facing one of its most significant governance challenges in recent years.
