THE FA of Malaysia (FAM) want an explanation from Dion Cools and his Danish club FC Midtjylland after the "supposedly injured" defender was reported to have played on Sunday.
Cools was earlier reported to be injured and unable to join Harimau Malaya for their international friendlies against Jordan and Uzbekistan in Amman from Oct 4-12.
Now, fans are asking whether Cools is injured or not. They were surprised to find the Malaysian playing in the last 10 minutes of a Danish Superliga match which saw Midtjylland beating Aarhus Gymnastikaforening 4-0.
Non-compliance in attending national training during Fifa international windows could lead to clubs and players being fined up to RM100,000 and RM25,000 respectively apart from suspension.
However, FAM will wait for a formal explanation from the parties involved before taking further action.
"From our initial communication with Midtjylland, we were told Cools was suffering from an injury and needed rehab," said FAM general secretary Saifuddin Abu Bakar yesterday.
"FAM will get further details from the club regarding the matter. Maybe there has been a misunderstanding... FAM will wait for the report before taking action.
"It is an offence (if players shirk their national duties), because the call-up is during the Fifa window, and this is a tier 1 match (Malaysia's friendlies against Jordan and Uzbekistan).
"If we look at the rules, the clubs are to release the players for national duty."
Right-back Cools, 25, who is of Belgian-Malaysia parentage, was listed in the preliminary 24-man squad for international friendlies against Jordan and Uzbekisntan as part of the preparation for the AFF Cup and the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
When asked about Cools, national coach Tan Cheng Hoe said: "Many said he played last night in the last 10 minutes but it could be part of the rehab."
Meanwhile, Terengganu FC will also be asked to explain Shahrul Nizam Ros Hasni's failure to join the national team.
Shahrul was said to be "unreachable" when the national call-up came. He was out at sea, squid fishing to help provide for his family in Kelantan.