Malaysia head coach under fire for controversial remarks on FIFA sanctions

Malaysia's coach Peter Cklamovski during a trial training session at Bukit Jalil Stadium on June 9, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Hai Tu

After Malaysia's 3-0 victory over Laos in Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on Oct. 9, Cklamovski publicly defended Tunku Ismail Idris, the Regent and Crown Prince of Johor, as well as president of Malaysia's biggest club Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), who has been accused of influencing the naturalization of seven foreign-born players.

"With all the noise outside our environment at the moment, we've controlled what we can control," Cklamovski said, as quoted by New Straits Times. "From what I'm told, there's a lot of negativity towards Tunku Ismail, which is not fair and unwarranted. He's a visionary leader. Without Tunku Ismail, Malaysian football would be finished a long time ago."

The statement, made while FAM is preparing its appeal to FIFA's disciplinary ruling, sparked outrage among local football figures.

Former Malaysia international Datuk Jamal Nasir called the remarks "crossing the line." "When you coach the national team, you represent Malaysia," he said.

"If it were me, I would sack him immediately," Datuk Jamal said, as quoted by New Straits Times. "Anyone may pay him, but when he leads Harimau Malaya, he represents the nation. You must respect FAM. The national team are under FAM and without the national body, Harimau Malaya wouldn't exist."

FIFA on Sept. 26 imposed cash fines on FAM and the seven players, as well as a one-year ban for them, after finding out that FAM submitted falsified documents for these players.

FIFA investigators obtained the original birth certificates of the players' grandparents, which contradicted FAM's claims that the players were born in Malaysia.

Despite the scandal, Malaysia lead Group F at the 2027 Asian Cup's final qualifying round with nine points from three games. However, they face losing 0-3 to Vietnam for fielding the seven ineligible players in their 4-0 win in June.

Facing growing pressure, Cklamovski issued an apology on Oct. 11, insisting his words were misunderstood.

"I didn’t mean any disrespect to FAM at all. In fact, I didn’t say anything different than what they’ve said themselves," Cklamovski said, as quoted by Malay Mall. "They released a press statement last week. I’m going off that. I don’t know anything else other than that.

"If people think I disrespected FAM, I apologize. That was not my intention," he said. "I only repeated what FAM said about administrative errors. I’m not involved in that issue."

Cklamovski previously served as an assistant to coach Ange Postecoglou for Australia between 2014 and 2017, winning the 2015 Asian Cup.

FAM has not commented publicly, but could sanction Cklamovski for violating the regulations, which prohibit officials from making statements that damage the association’s image.

Acting FAM president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi declined to discuss the controversy, urging the team to focus on the return leg against Laos on Tuesday at Bukit Jalil Stadium.