KUALA LUMPUR — Is Giorgio Pompili Rossi still the CEO of the Malaysian Football League (MFL)
That question is at the centre of growing speculation following rumours that Rossi, who was appointed in September last year, may no longer be in his position.
Adding to the uncertainty, his office at the MFL headquarters in Kelana Jaya is said to have been vacated, while he was notably absent from a key league-related meeting today attended by MFL president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan.
MFL has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but a source close to the organisation confirmed the situation has raised eyebrows.
“He (Rossi) was not present at today’s meeting on the league’s affairs, which left many wondering. The president will address this matter,” the source told Bernama.
As of the time of writing, Bernama is still awaiting a response from MFL management, including Ab Ghani, for further clarification.
Rossi, the first foreign CEO of MFL, replaced Datuk Stuart Ramalingam, whose contract ended on Aug 31 last year.
He first arrived in Malaysia as a LaLiga delegate in 2017, playing a key role in expanding the Spanish league’s brand and promoting its clubs among Malaysian football fans.
Rossi later took on a broader role in Thailand, overseeing operations in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar before assuming the CEO role at MFL.
His possible departure comes amid growing criticism of the state of the Malaysian league.
Last month, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, a major influence in domestic football, voiced dissatisfaction with M-League’s issues, including poor pitch conditions and delayed player salary payments.
The Regent of Johor also called for the urgent introduction of financial fair play principles to ensure club financial stability and emphasised the need for an independent refereeing body, free from the influence of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). — February 19, 2025