The truth about the suspended FAM official still meeting with the FIFA President

"FAM suspended Secretary General Datuk Noor Azman Rahman with immediate effect, but he still showed up when the FIFA President visited. What does that say about responsibility?", asked Free Malaysia Today when it revealed a photo of former Secretary General Azman Rahman smiling and taking a photo with FIFA President Gianni Infantino when the head of the world football governing body visited Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) on October 27.

Immediately, many Malaysian football fans expressed surprise at the role of Mr. Azman Rahman despite being suspended from his position in connection with the country's player naturalization fraud scandal.

Thực hư vụ quan chức FAM bị đình chỉ vẫn gặp gỡ Chủ tịch FIFA - 1 — The image of former Secretary General Azman Rahman (far right) taking a photo with FIFA President Gianni Infantino caused a stir on social networks (Photo: Malaysia Today).

"Do people believe that FAM has suspended him? Are the decisions made just a joke to calm public opinion?", commented Malaysian account Maximus Sangeet Singh.

"FAM confirmed that he has been suspended from work with immediate effect. But how is he still appearing with the FIFA President?", Iskandar Shawn account expressed.

"Maybe he was there to whisper in the FIFA President's ear about the mistakes of Malaysian football," another Malaysian football fan commented bitterly.

However, Malaysia's News Straits Times has clarified the reason for Mr. Azman Rahman's presence next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

"Azman Rahman's appearance in the photo with Infantino is not related to any official duties. This image was taken in a private setting and not in any official event recognized by FAM or FIFA.

Mr Azman Rahman was present in his personal capacity and did not represent FAM in any official capacity," the News Straits Times quoted a statement from FAM.

However, the announcement from FAM is still not supported by many people, especially when FIFA has not yet made a final decision on the naturalization fraud scandal (expected to be announced tomorrow, October 30).

"He was there in his personal capacity and coincidentally he took a photo with the FIFA President. I knew it right away, FAM always finds a way to appease the public," Bran Ho said.