With TG, part 1 - It's more than football

"There's no place for sentiments in football, Datuk."

"Yes you are right..." Datuk Chan Tien Ghee, chairman of Cardiff City, nodded in agreement.

The subject of discussion was Safee Sali and his two-week trial in the Welsh capital, or CCFC to be specific.

Cardiff boss, Malky Mackay, does not seem too impressed with the Malaysian goalscoring ace. Read here and also here

Currently a non-EU player applying for the permit must have played for his country in at least 75% of its competitive 'A' team matches for which he was available for selection during the previous two years. In this respect Safee meets the criteria.

And his country must have averaged at least 70th place in the official FIFA world rankings over the previous two years. - Aha, this is the issue! Malaysia's current ranking is 146. Our highest ever was 75, over two decades ago. 

If a player does not meet those criteria, the club wishing to sign him may appeal if they believe that he is a special talent and "able to contribute significantly to the development of the game at the top level in the UK." - Now, that's also a bit beyond Safee la. Honestly.

Does the same set of rules apply for a player to be eligible for consideration in the NPower Championship league, the second-tier of the English game?

"Yes, so it's not true that its easier for a player to be eligible for signing in Npower Championship than the top flight," said TG in a tete-a-tete with loose cannon at his office in Sri Hartamas.

That's why in my column on the Astro Arena website here, I highlighted the fact the Thai trio of Teerasil Dangda, Suree Sukha and Kiatprawut Saiwaeo were shipped to Switzerland and Belgium for not meeting the criteria despite having signed for Manchester City under the patronage of Thaksin Shinawatra in 2007! And kindly note Thai superstar Kiatisuk Senamuang and Indian captain Baichung Bhutia were content on warming the bench and making occasional appearances for Huddersfield Town and Bury in the lower rungs respectively, in 1999-2000.

Based on the stringent regulation, TG concedes that any Malaysian player wishing to obtain a work permit and ply his trade in the UK would have to go through a third country.

But he's willing to move mountains if Safee, Safiq Rahim or any Malaysian player creates an impression on the manager.

"We are willing to help any potential candidate realise his potential at CCF."

TG lays down his cards on the table, so to speak, which centre on community-based and grassroots development programmes

The two hours yours truly spent with TG this morning reinforces my belief his foray into football is not publicity-driven. It goes beyond the usual business transaction and boardroom dealings.

TG was pleased to reveal for the first time ever, the Malaysia Merdeka Day celebrations in the UK will be held outside London this year, with Cardiff City Stadium playing host on Sept 25.

"We will have a dance troupe from Terengganu and a Malaysian chef specially flown for the occasion," said TG.

And the old boy of La Salle PJ who spent 15 years in London but never set foot onto a football stadium until 2009, was quick to remind CCFC has made its mark in other aspects, for instance read here.

To TG lawyer businessman-turned-football club owner, it's more than football...its a journey of life that he wants to share with his partner Tan Sri Vincent Tan, family and the rest of Malaysia too...

To be continued...