Sathinathan told to explain

FORMER national coach B. Sathianathan has been told by FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah to explain himself regarding his "M-League is no football" remark. While Sathianathan's stay with FAM comes to an end this month, Sultan Ahmad Shah wants to know what induced the coach to make such a statement.

On Monday Perlis FA president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, came to Sathianathan's defence and urged FAM to stop pointing fingers at the coach.

Shahidan reiterated that it is a collective responsibility and FAM must find out why Malaysian football has not progressed for the last 10 years or so.

"Sathianathan has been relieved of his duties but he needs to submit a detail report to the president regarding his remark about the league and offer solutions on how to improve the league.

"This instruction is from the Sultan himself and it has been conveyed to Sathianathan," said FAM general secretary Lt Jen (R) Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad.

Sathianathan, whose services were terminated on Feb 2, is believed to be in discussion about a coaching job with clubs in India and Indonesia.