Football Association of Maldives (FAM) releasing a statement condemning the actions of some supporters during the final league game between champions New Radiant and Maziya shows the governing body is not in hibernation as many has thought for sometime, which is a good sign.
A minority of supporters targeted the chief guest, presidential candidate Qasim Ibrahim, mostly with politically motivated slogans during the game as well as during the awarding ceremony on 28th July. FAM realized the seriousness of it nearly 72 hours after the incident.
Whoever runs the organization must take necessary actions and precautions to prevent such incident. No matter which club the supporters are belonged, FAM must not be afraid to take the actions. It is not shocking some parents refuse to walk near the stadium with their kids during a match day.
Something we always criticize is about double standards, which is not only be seen in sports but also from every level of the country. Different punishments for different people with similar crime are becoming a normal practice in the Maldives.
It is not when supporters target a presidential candidate or high dignities of the nation, should FAM must come to their sense. This has been happening for long time, it is not the first time the supporters called for FAM president Ilham Ahmed’s resignation. The resignation call was louder and severe when he was trying to give a speech during Maldives friendly game against Pakistan earlier this year. FAM didn’t condemn that.
New Radiant chairman Ali Waheed was targeted by opponent supporters almost every day when New Radiant plays. The abusive language was not only targeted to him but how many days his mother was verbally abused by the opponent supporters. FAM didn’t condemn that.
FAM director of national teams Ali Suzain was targeted how many days. I have seen an opponent supporter came face to face with Suzain one day and abused his mother. No press statement, nothing? Ali Suzain has been a key figure of Maldives football development in recent years, his services to this sport is priceless. FAM must be more concerned of such valuable people.
A club manager has criticized current FAM administration in front of local media and called for FAM president’s resignation. No response from FAM.
Therefore, FAM’s sudden awake when a political figure has been targeted by some supporters raises the questions of the real intention behind it. After all “the Laura” awakens FAM.
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