The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has denied allegations that it received complimentary tickets from Fifa to watch the 2022 World Cup matches in Qatar.
FAM secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman said the claim made by a veteran journalist in a recent article was unfounded.
“I would like to emphasise that the FAM did not receive any complimentary tickets for the 2022 World Cup matches from Fifa, despite being a member association of Fifa.
“Allegations claiming that FAM received free tickets from Fifa are completely untrue,” he said in a statement.
Noor Azman said that every Fifa member association, including the FAM, was instead allocated a ticket quota for the 2022 World Cup matches.
He said the FAM only purchased 92 tickets from a maximum allocation of 290.
“As stated in Fifa’s letter dated June 17, 2022, the ticket allocation was intended for purchase by members of the executive committee, FAM affiliates, sponsors and related stakeholders.
“Based on the number of purchase requests received, the FAM only purchased 92 tickets, comprising 72 for the group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, and third-place playoff, and 20 for the opening match, semi-finals, and final,” he said.
He added that FAM had never sold World Cup tickets to Malaysian football fans and supporters, including for the 2022 edition of the tournament.
