King steps down from position as FIFA council member

PETALING JAYA: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has relinquished his position as a member of the FIFA council.

His Royal Highness was elected to the position in 2015 and the term of office was to end in June but he has stepped down from the world body to focus on his duties as the King.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino thanked the King for his services to FIFA for the past 25 years.

“Thank you very much for your letter dated Feb 8 informing us about your resignation as FIFA Council member effective on Jan 24, which has caught our full attention.

“We can’t find the words to express to you, on behalf of FIFA and the international football community, our gratitude for your exceptional commitment and all the projects you have carried out in the various FIFA committees since 1994,” said Infantino in a statement.

“Through all these activities at the service of world football since more than 25 years, you made a telling contribution to the development of football and to the promotion of our sport and its values around the world.

“We would like to thank you for this exceptional and invaluable service to FIFA and extend our highest recognition of all your efforts to promote football, protect its integrity, bring the game to all and build a stronger institution in your country, in your region and in the world.

“There is no doubt that we will miss you, not only your experience, knowledge and expertise, but above all the person. We sincerely hope that our friendship and excellent relationship will continue in the future.”

The King has served football for 25 years in various roles in the Organising Committee for the FIFA Olympic Football Tournaments from 1994-1998, the Committee on Fair Play and Social Responsibility from 1994-2002, the Strategic Committee from 1998-2002, the Technical and Development Committee from 1999-2002 and from 2007-2012, the Ethics Committee from 1999-2002, the Organising Committee for the FIFA Confederations Cup from 20022007, the Football Committee from 2012-2017, the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup, the Organising Committee for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the Committee of Member Associations from 2015-2017, and the FIFA Council from 2015-2019.

He also served as the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president from 2014-2017.