SATHIANATHAN MULLS LEGAL RECOURSE

As of this moment, Sathia is still in consults with his lawyers over the issue before he decides to make any firm decision on the matter.

“I have to talk to my lawyers first to ascertain whether my dismissal was fair. As a professional coach, I have to take in a lot of consideration and if my lawyers felt that we should head into such a decision (legal redress) then I will have to seriously consider it,” said Sathia.

Sathia was let go by the FAM shortly after the Malaysian national team’s humiliating 5-0 loss to United Arab Emirates in their first game of the Asian Cup 2011 qualifiers in January.

He has now expressed his dissatisfaction over the reasons given by the FAM in his dismissal where the national body felt that they have the right to see him go since the loss to the UAE affected further the world ranking for Malaysia.

Sathia had been offered a year’s extension after the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 although it came with stipulations that he must improve the world ranking for Malaysia as well as credible performances at the Asian Cup qualifiers and also the Merdeka Tournament in July.

But according to Sathia’s contention, the FAM decided to remove him based solely on his comment that “the M-League is not football” at a press conference right after the loss to UAE.