Make up your mind! (The Malay Mail)

FOREIGN players could still feature in next year's M-League despite a FAM
decision earlier to do away with them.
 FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah said yesterday the final decision
rests with the State FAs themselves.
 "It was the State FAs who had called for the foreign players to be
barred because of the economic problems.
 "A majority of them had agreed to do away with the foreign players when
we met the last time.
 "But some of them have had a change of heart and are clamouring for the
continued services of the foreigners."
 Tengku Abdullah said he personally has nothing against the presence of
foreign players in the M-League.
 "It is just that they are expensive and with our economic problems, we
have have to rethink.
 "The US dollar is not cheap and with most of the States facing financial
problems, we have to evaluate the situation."
 Asked whether the option to hire foreigners could be left to the State
FAs instead of enforcing a blanket ban, Tengku Abdullah said it was best
discussed by the State FA representatitives at council level.
 "The final decision lies with the council and we will wait and see when
we meet on Nov 8."
 Whether the foreigners will still be around next year is anybody's guess
as the States have proven to be fickle and indecisive over the issue.
 While the consensus at last month's council meeting was the exclusion of
foreign pros, most of them are having second thoughts now.
 Some claim the views of their representatives at the council did not
reflect that of their State FAs.
 "Why can't they just leave it open. Let the State FAs who can afford it,
hire the foreigners," said one State FA official.
 Another official said: "We still need at least one foreigner in the team
and it will not cost much."
                                (END)