Malaysian referee to officiate at Fifa under-20 World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysian referee Nazmi Nasaruddin has been chosen to officiate at the under-20 World Cup 2025, slated to be held in Chile from Sept 27 to Oct 19.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said Zairul Khalil Tan and Mu'azi Zainal Abidin have also been appointed as assistant referees.
'We want to congratulate the trio and wish them all the best in carrying out their duties at the championship.
'FAM's top leadership also wants to thank Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation for their faith in Malaysian referees.
'We consider it a huge honour and recognition of our efforts to empower the standard of refereeing,' FAM said in a statement today.
Nazmi was earlier among the candidates to referee at the 2026 World Cup, which the US, Canada and Mexico will jointly host.
He was also the first Malaysian referee to officiate a match in the Asian Champions League, which uses video assistant referee technology.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor gets new corporate boxes, lounges ahead of 2025-26 football season
ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 28 — Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) has completed upgrades to Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, including 12 new corporate boxes and two new premium lounges, ahead of the 2025-26 football season. The Regent of Johor and JDT owner, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, visited the stadium today to inspect the facilities and oversee final preparations before the season kicks off on August 8. Also present was Johor Chief Minister Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. 'The new corporate facilities are part of our efforts to improve offerings at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium and increase revenue for Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT),' the club said in a statement today. The corporate boxes can host up to 20 guests each, while the Red & Blue Lounge will offer fans premium matchday hospitality, with more details and pricing to be announced soon.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Revive Harimau Muda or risk falling behind, warns Kim Swee
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national youth coach Ong Kim Swee has urged the authorities to urgently revive the Harimau Muda programme, warning that Malaysia risks being overtaken by the likes of the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos if immediate action isn't taken. Kim Swee said the national youth setup — once a breeding ground for SEA Games and AFF Cup-winning talents — must be brought back to stop the Young Tigers from falling further behind their fast-improving Southeast Asian rivals. The Harimau Muda programme, launched by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) in 2007 and disbanded in 2015, produced back-to-back SEA Games gold medals in 2009 and 2011. Players from this system also formed the backbone of the Harimau Malaya squad that lifted the AFF Cup in 2010. "During the Harimau Muda era, our young players were more competitive," said Kim Swee, who led the squad from 2009 to 2014. "Now their only real platform is the Super League. Even in last season's MFL Cup, how many top young players emerged? "The youth players in the Super League hardly get any minutes. There's nothing wrong with bringing back Harimau Muda — we've already proven that it works." Kim Swee said: "Don't underestimate the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos. "Look at what's happened in the last few years — how many times have we lost to the Philippines? "I'm not blaming anyone, but we need to ask how these countries have improved so quickly. "It's time to bring Harimau Muda back. Other countries may not have a similar setup, but they have strong grassroots systems at club level. Do we? "JDT have the right development structure, and Selangor are trying too. But what about the rest? "We've already lost to the Philippines. Don't be surprised if Cambodia, Laos — even Brunei — beat us next." His comments come after the Young Tigers failed to reach the semi-finals of the recent Under-23 Asean Championship, crashing out in the group stage following a 2-0 loss to the Philippines, a 7-1 win over Brunei and a goalless draw with hosts Indonesia. The early exit has sparked concerns ahead of tougher assignments — the Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the SEA Games later this year. FAM president Datuk Joehari Ayub said any revival of the Harimau Muda setup would depend on the national body's budget. Kim Swee, however, stressed that a centralised youth system gives both players and coaches the structure and time needed to build a competitive team. "When you call up players from different clubs, you only get between two to 10 days with them during FIFA windows — it's just not enough," he said. "Even if they understand tactics, team chemistry takes time to develop. "But with a centralised squad like Harimau Muda, we trained together for six months in Slovakia before returning for the SEA Games, and we won. "We didn't just win — we beat Italy at the World University Games. Imagine that — beating a footballing nation like Italy."
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore F1 tycoon Ong Beng Seng to plead guilty in case involving former transport minister Iswaran
SINGAPORE, July 28 — In a significant development, property tycoon Ong Beng Seng is set to plead guilty on August 4 to charges related to a case involving former Singapore transport minister S. Iswaran. This decision follows a pre-trial conference held on July 28. Ong, 79, who is currently out on S$800,000 (RM2.6 million) bail, has been navigating the legal system for several months. The businessman planned to plead guilty on April 2. However, this was postponed after his legal team requested additional time to obtain his medical reports. The plea was then rescheduled for July 3, but was again delayed as both the prosecution and defence required more time to file further submissions on sentencing. The case has since undergone multiple pre-trial conferences, reflecting its complexity and high stakes. In October 4, 2024, Ong was accused of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts and obstructing justice. According to court documents, Ong allegedly arranged for Iswaran to fly on his private plane from Singapore to Doha in December 2022, a flight valued at US$7,700 (RM25,372). Additionally, Ong is accused of arranging a one-night stay for Mr. Iswaran at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, valued at S$4,737.63, and a business-class flight from Doha to Singapore, valued at S$5,700. The court documents further reveal that Ong informed Iswaran that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau had seized the flight manifest for the December 2022 trip. Iswaran then told Ong to bill him for the flight to avoid investigations. As a result, Ong was charged with abetment of obstruction of justice. Ong is widely recognised for bringing Formula One (F1) to Singapore in 2008, marking the first night race in the sport's history. Iswaran, who was the chairman of the F1 steering committee and the Singapore government's chief negotiator with Singapore GP on business matters related to the race, worked closely with Ong in the mid-2000s to convince then Formula One Group chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to make Singapore the venue for the sport's first night race. Iswaran was handed a 12-month jail term on October 3, 2024, for accepting valuable items from Ong, among other charges.
