Expressing his support for the decision taken by his players, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said they were tired of unnecessary call-ups and spending months in training camp doing nothing.

Tunku Ismail, who is also Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ), released his statement on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page last night after four JDT players announced they were quitting the national squad on the page.

The two players who announced their decision yesterday were S Kunanlan and Amirulhadi Zainal, both aged 30. They joined national team captain Safiq Rahim and vice-captain Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, both aged 29, who released their statements on Tuesday.

All four players were part of the successful national Under-23 squad which brought back the SEA Games gold medal after 20 years, back in 2009. They were also part of the senior team which won the AFF Suzuki Cup the following year.

TMJ had on Monday night released a statement critical of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for its handling of the recent Oceania tour by the national team.

“According to the report that I’ve received from our players and fitness coach, the players only had 11-12 days of training throughout their 30 day tour with the national team.

“From June 19-28, they only had four days of training sessions compared with JDT that had conducted 19 sessions over the same period of time,” TMJ had alleged on Monday.

Following the actions of his four players, he has further justified the move, saying FAM had never stood up for the players’ well being.

“They are playing for a president who never attends trainings or meetings. Playing for a leader who doesn’t even know their name and existence. Playing for an organisation that couldn’t care less when they get injured,” he said in his statement yesterday.

He added that more players (from other states) want to also quit the national squad but “they are afraid of their superiors”.

Accusing FAM of ignoring players, clubs as well as fans, Tunku Ismail said all interested parties should demand changes in FAM.

“Whether they like it or not, one day they have to change.

“I assure you that I will do whatever it takes to kill corruption in Malaysian football and those who are responsible. Malaysia needs people with football knowledge and profesional coaches, not businessman,” he said.

Tunku Ismail also appealed to Malaysian football fans not to criticise the players for quitting the national squad.

“It is easy to criticize but you have to put yourself in their shoes to understand their decision. These players love their country.”