FAM to look into issue of fourth official

FA of Malaysia (FAM) clarified that appointing a fourth official from the host team in the Mleague is an age-old practice.

And the national body do not see the need to change the system immediately following the isolated incident in Friday’s match between Perak and Kedah in Ipoh.

FAM deputy president Datuk Wira Yusoff Mahadi said it was an isolated case.

“Most fourth officials come from the host team.

“This is a common practice, but we will look into Kedah’s reasoning about this,” said Yusoff at the FA Cup first round draw in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

“We will also speak to match commissioners on whether we need to look into it,” said Yusoff.

Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive Kevin Ramalingam said the matter is a non-issue.

“We will study it when the Professional Match Officials Malaysia (PMOM) become fully operational later this year,” said Kevin.