Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) has defended a group of football fans called "Ultras Malaya" for throwing flares and smoke bombs onto the pitch during the Malaysian national team's friendly match against Philippines last Saturday.

In a statement, SAMM propaganda chief Edy Noor Reduan ( right ) said the group had umpteen times attempted to express their displeasure with the running of the national football team, including calls for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang to resign.

SAMM also criticised national team manager Subahan Kamal for calling the group “uncivilised” for their behaviour.

"Is FAM civilised to keep the same president for the past 30 years, during which the performance of the national football team deteriorated?" Edy asked.

Edy pointed out that Malaysia used to be far superior to Philippines in football, but now struggles to remain in Fifa's top 150 ranked nations, while Philippines is now ranked 127.

"Based on this fact, was the Ultras Malaya’s action overboard?" he asked.

'Manifested from uncivilised behaviour of FAM'

He said Malaysians must be thankful for having a group of youths who are championing the country's number one sport.

"SAMM is proud with the bravery of Ultras Malaya,” he said.

"We are confident that their actions were not directed at the national team. It manifested from the uncivilised behaviour of FAM, which has not moved from the current leadership especially the top position," he added.

SAMM assured that there would be no repeat of the incident that took place last Saturday if the FAM president resigns from his position.

Calls for Sultan Ahmad Shah to resign from his position have been growing over the past few years as the state of the national football team continues to plummet.

FAM has also been having an increasingly strained relationship with the Youth and Sports Ministry since Khairy Jamaluddin took over the post after the 13th general election.