FOOTBALL Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Khairy Jamaluddin will meet Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob today to explain FAM's stand on the issue regarding the Champions Youth Cup (CYC).

It is quite clear that FAM, who has yet to sanction the tournament, is unhappy with the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) involvement, and also promoters Gifted Group's lack of respect for the nation's controlling body for football. "The executive committee members are not too happy with the way FAM is being treated by the promoters (Gifted Group), who must realise at the end of the day, football belongs to the people and that it is the national association which decides," said an FAM exco member who did not want to be identified.

"In this matter, the Sports Ministry should take part of the blame for splurging RM17 million on an event like this which hardly benefits Malaysian football." An initial RM8 million has already been paid. Though the issue has yet to be settled, the AFC has started appointing match officials for the tournament. A well known Malaysian referee has been picked to officiate at the tournament.

The AFC has yet to contact FAM to offer a solution.

"We paid the money according to the contract, and now we are waiting for FAM to explain the situation. I believe that after the meeting (between Khairy and Ismail) we will receive a positive answer from FAM whether or not sanction will be granted," said chief secretary of the Sports Ministry, Datuk Yassin Salleh.
It is reliably learnt that the Sports Minister is very unhappy with the situation and will not hesitate to stop the sponsorship if the promoters do not stick to the contract. -- CHRISTOPHER RAJ