Fans to back Annuar

FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Tan Sri Annuar Musa could face a lengthy ban if the national body's disciplinary board finds him guilty of critical comments against K. Rajagobal's national team.

The board, headed by Datuk Taufik Abdul Razak, will deliberate and investigate the evidence, including those  submitted by Annuar last week before deciding on the next course of action.

Annuar could be handed a two-year ban from football if found guilty of breaching Article 88 of FAM's statutes, which state that only the president and secretary-general are allowed to make statements on local football.

FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah had also reminded football officials, in a recent executive committee meeting, not to be outspoken when speaking to the media but Annuar, who attended the sitting, failed to follow regulations.

Annuar was first given a chance to accept the charges, and if he had done so, the Kelantan FA president would have been let off with a small fine, but he was defiant in his reply to a show cause letter from FAM and that he wanted to defend himself.

The former sports minister has, however, indirectly admitted his guilt in a statement to the media on Thursday.

"I am ready to accept any punishment. I will attend the hearing," said Annuar at Thursday's Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority function in Kota Baru.

The Malaysian Super League (MSL) chairman said the disciplinary board hearing will also provide him the opportunity to clarify all matters pertaining to the case.

"No one is above the law. I will accept my punishment and hopefully learn from this experience," said Annuar.

On whether he would bring up the case to the Sports Commissioner's Office if the decision did not favour him, Annuar said it was not necessary.

"I will definitely comply with the existing procedures.

"In my view, everyone must be answerable to the board if they do something against the law.

"No one should be excluded from this," Annuar added.

Meanwhile,  thousands of Kelantan fans are expected to be at the stadium as early as 5pm today to show their support for Annuar  who will appear before the FAM disciplinary committee on April 4.