KUALA LUMPUR: Kedah Football Association (KFA) vice president Datuk Jeffrey Low has expressed regret over their failure to obtain an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) license that would have allowed the Red Eagles to play in the AFC Cup next season.
Admitting that it was their own mistake following their inability to complete the necessary documentation in the stipulated timeframe given by the FA of Malaysia (FAM), KFA have no other choice but to hope for compassion from FAM, with a representative to be sent to try to make an appeal through a closed door meeting with FAM president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, possibly today.
It is a necessary move to ensure their dream of seeing action in the AFC Cup competition next season is not dashed.
“What I can say is it is our own mistake that has left us staring at the prospect of missing out on the AFC Cup.
“We were supposed to have completed all the requirements and procedures set by FAM, but we ended up getting delayed. So Kedah’s participation in the competition ended up getting cancelled,” he said.
However, Jeffrey refused to point fingers with regards to the issue as he hopes their appeal that will be conveyed directly to FAM will be accepted by Tunku Ismail.
According to previous reports, KFA were dealt a severe blow when their place in the AFC Cup might be given to Pahang instead after their failure to meet club licensing requirements set by FAM.
Before this, Kedah were lucky to obtain a license from FAM through a second appeal which allowed them to take part in the M-League next season.
However, Kedah’s failure to meet AFC’s club licensing requirements within the stipulated timeframe has resulted in their automatic slot as FA Cup winners this season go to Pahang instead who are Super League runners up .
Translated from Berita Harian