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    15 April 2012| last updated at 08:13AM

    Annuar mulls court action

    By Devinder Singh | devinder@nst.com.my

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    ALTERNATIVE: Suspended FAM deputy president might challenge his ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sports

    TAN Sri Annuar Musa has accepted FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah's offer of mediation but will challenge his 30-month ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) if need be.

    Annuar, who was suspended on April 4 by the disciplinary committee for violating FAM statutes when he criticised the national team, said he is hoping for an alternative solution to his dispute with FAM since he has no avenue for appeal.

    "The support and encouragement that I have received in recent times from members of the footballing community has been truly inspiring.

    "His Royal Highness, Tengku Abdullah, deputy president of FAM, recently released a statement that reflects his Highness' great dedication and commitment towards the betterment of our beloved sport where His Highness has stressed that what is truly is important is the progress of Malaysian football.

    "I am humbled that His Highness has acknowledged my contribution to the sport and am honoured to accept His Highness' offer to mediate in reaching a workable solution to this impasse.

    "Whilst I continue to respect the disciplinary committee's decisions and FAM's procedures, I believe that if His Royal HIghness Tengku Abdullah, with his experience within FAM, AFF, AFC and even Fifa, can see that an alternative solution may be possible, then I am happy to work with His Highness for the good of Malaysian football," said Annuar, who held the FAM deputy president and Kelantan FA president posts before his suspension, in a statement.

    However, it is not yet certain that Tengku Abdullah's April 7 offer is still on the table after FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah said the following day that he supports the decision made by the disciplinary committee.

    Earlier on Friday, Annuar said he is prepared to exhaust all avenues, even going all the way to the CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, in a bid to overturn or reduce the suspension.

    "It is not that I want to fight FAM, just to test how far the system goes," he was reported as saying at an event in Ketereh, Kelantan.

    "I will make a representation and application to the Appeals Committee with regard to my case and if unsuccessful, I will go to the Arbitration Tribunal, and then to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if I am still not successful."

    Annuar added that he plans to meet with the FAM's leadership at its July 30 congress, which has the power to call for an extraordinary general meeting, where the disciplinary committee's decision could be amended or revoked.

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