KELANA JAYA: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) cleared the air after Johor crown prince Tengku Ismail Ibrahim was seen with the team on the bench during the Pahang-Johor Premier League match in Temerloh on Tuesday.
Pahang won 2-0.
FAM vice-president and competitions committee chairman Datuk Hamidin Amin admitted having received numerous phone calls on the matter.
"Several people have been calling me since early yesterday. I checked and each team is allowed to register a minimum of nine officials to sit on the bench and I was told Tengku Ismail's name has been registered," said Hamidin.
"Therefore, him being on the bench with the coaches and the players is a non-issue."
Sources in FAM revealed Tengku Ismail's name was registered as he is the "patron of Johor FA".
However, Tengku Ismail, had on Jan 24, announced on his Twitter that he had "officially taken over Johor FA as the president".
"Tengku Ismail is allowed to sit on the bench as he is registered as the head of delegation based on his position as the penaung (patron) of Johor FA," said an FAM official who declined to be named.
"As far as his presidency is concerned, Johor FA will need to conduct an extraordinary general meeting (EGM)."
It was reported that Tengku Ismail was eager to "cut out the politics" in the sport and "to rebuild Johor into a football powerhouse".
He brought in former Singapore international Fandi Ahmad as the technical director.
Tengku Ismail had on Twitter yesterday announced former Argentine star Gabriel Batistuta (pic) will also head to the Southern state for talks to strengthen the squad and assist Johor FA in getting more foreign talent.
Johor are placed fifth in the Premier League standings with nine points after six matches.
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