KUALA LUMPUR: "The Ultras have succeeded. They have got what they wanted," said dismayed former national midfielder Asmawi Bakiri.
Now a popular local football pundit on television, Asmawi let fly his double-edged disappointment at the vocal, sometimes violent, and now infamous supporters group Ultras Malaya and the target of their frustrations, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) in a bid to understand the whole situation.
"It has all come at once. This is an episode that I think we can say is the worst in the history of Malaysian football and it is not just about our lowest ever FIFA ranking," said Asmawi.
"We failed in the Sea Games, our under-19 team also only managed fourth place in the Asean Championship, then we were held at home by Timor Leste in the first World Cup qualifier, before that embarrassing 10-0 defeat to the UAE.
"Then we had that ugly affair with the Ultras in Shah Alam and to cap it all off, FIFA released the latest rankings and we're 171st among 208 countries."
Malaysia's third 2018 World Cup qualifier was against Saudi Arabia on Sept 8.
The national team were trailing 2-1 when the Ultras Malaya unleashed their barrage of smoke bombs, flares and fireworks onto the pitch in the 88th minute, forcing officials to abandon the match.
On Saturday, FIFA announced that FAM was slapped with a 40,000 Swiss franc (RM180,000) fine, while the match was forfeited with a 3-0 score in favour of Saudi Arabia.
Malaysia's next home match against the UAE on Nov 17 will have to be played without spectators.
"The Ultras achieved some of their objectives. The ones in which they aimed to shame FAM, to get FAM into trouble and force action to be taken against FAM. They have achieved all of that, but none of these are of benefit to Malaysian football," said Asmawi.
On Tuesday, Ultras Malaya leader Alfadli Awaludin declared that the movement had no intention of toning down their genre of vocal and fiery support despite the FIFA sanctions.
Instead, the Ultras will continue their call for an overhaul of the local football system.
The Ultras have set targets which they state was what the fans want the FAM to work towards - qualification on merit to the World Cup and Asian Cup, and for Malaysian clubs to earn direct berths into the Asian Champions League instead of having to go through play-offs due to the low ranking of the Malaysian Super League.
"I think this is what everybody wants for Malaysian football, but the way we get the message through is not always right. After what the Ultras have done, do you think FAM or anybody will now look at the message? Now people will only look at the trouble they have caused," Asmawi said.
But having had first-hand experience of dealing with the FAM and trying to call for proper focus on development, he believes FAM too has to realise the need for changes.
"It is not plans and more plans that we need. Yes, plans are good. In fact, there have been fantastic plans for football development even since I was still playing. But FAM have failed in the implementation and enforcement of their plans," said Asmawi.
"The follow through, to ensure that the objectives are met and if they aren't met, where did we go wrong; that is where FAM has failed.
“It may be because of the people involved in the decisions and those carrying them out. It has not worked, so when it doesn't work, we need to change.
"Change the people, get the right ones to carry out the plans and if they don't meet the objectives, change them too. But to change, as everybody knows, is something that FAM struggles to do."