Malaysian Football Association (FAM) and 2017 SEA Games organisers have concluded an agreement to change the draw format for the 2017 football competition.
Previously, there were a massive protests over the initial draw mechanism that had been proposed, which Malaysia as the hosts have a choice of which of the two groups to play in.
FAM general secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin confirmed that the current SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur will use the similar draw format as used by the previous hosts.
“We hope that by reverting to the mechanism used previously, there will no longer be any concerns regarding the football draw,” said Hamidin in a statement was quoted by New Strait Times.
“We hope the football tournament at the SEA Games on August 14-29 will proceed in a sporting manner.”
Under the new proccess, Malaysia will not be drawn in the same group as 2015 gold medalists Thailand but may being drawn against Myanmar and Indonesia.