KAFA lantik Sathianathan sebagai CEO kejurulatihan

KOTA BAHARU, (Bernama) - Malaysia Cup champion Kelantan has appointed coach B. Sathianathan as the Kelantan Football Association's (KAFA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for coaching.

The move by KAFA is seen as a slap in the face for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) that had earlier suspended Sathianathan for six months and later rejected his appeal.

Through the appointment announced by KAFA president Tan Sri Annuar Musa, Sathianathan would be in charge of the technical aspects of coaching and responsible for guiding and grooming talented players.
"Although we have lost him as the head coach at a time when the team needed him most due to our preparations for the M-League season-opening Charity Shield, we still need Sathinathan's services.

"Today we appointed him (Sathianathan) as the CEO for coaching and responsible for all coaching aspects that does not come under FAM's jurisdiction," he told reporters after receiving RM200,000 pledged by the state government, here today and attended by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

"We accept FAM's decision but taking proactive measures to ensure that he can continue to offer his services KAFA," he said.

He added that since Sathianathan would not be able to coach Kelantan, KAFA would look out for another coach to fill his place.

Meanwhile, Sathianathan said he would use whatever avenue available to make another appeal on his six-month ban by FAM.

Sathianathan was suspended for speaking against the association's policy as the coach was quoted as saying that it was unfair to allow T'Team to play their away game against Perlis in Kuala Terengganu.