Umno information chief Annuar Musa said he decided to run for the presidency of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) out of concern that no other individuals would do so.

The Ketereh MP said today that he submitted the nomination form after being told that no one else had done so ,as of yesterday.

“Yesterday I asked (FAM) whether anybody had responded (and confirmed) their candidacy, and they (FAM) said none.

“I was afraid that no one wanted to run (so) I signed the (nomination) form and as of now, I am the only person who had submitted it and accepted my candidacy,” said Annuar during a press conference after a meeting with representatives from The United Chinese School Committees' Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong).

Annuar added that his decision was also made in his personal capacity as a football fan, after resigning as the Kelantan Football Association (Kafa) president.

It was previously reported that other names being touted to contest the post included Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin and former Home Ministry secretary-general Aseh Che Mat.

Annuar, meanwhile, reserved comments when asked whether he views Tunku Ismail as being his biggest challenger for the post, should the latter decide to run against him.

He also declined to comment on whether the contest would be seen as one between Umno and the Johor royal family.

“I cannot comment about others, later people will be angry.

“I don’t work based on ‘what ifs’ (because) it will never end. Just wait for the time, why the what ifs (Tunku Ismail contest),” he stressed.

Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had yesterday consented to the nomination of his son to contest the post, following his audience with representatives of football clubs from several states.

Since late last year, Annuar had been engaging in verbal spats with Tunku Ismail on football management and corruption, leading-up to his suspension as Mara chaiperson over graft allegations which the latter had exposed.

On possibilities that Khairy may not accept his nomination, Annuar merely said, “we just wait for the deadline on Feb 13.”

“It is better for me to not comment,” he added.

The FAM is slated to hold its election on March 25 to fill the position vacated by Pahang crown prince Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.