KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 — The Malaysian football arena has garnered a lot of attention recently following the abrupt retirement of four senior national players.

All eyes are on FA of Malaysia (FAM) and Football Malaysia Limited Liability Partnership (FMLLP) to respond to scathing comments by the Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim.

Both bodies are taking time to address the stinging criticisms hurled by Tunku Ismail for allegedly exploiting the national team for personal gains above the interests of Malaysian football.

Safiq Rahim, Aidil Zafuan, S. Kunalan, and Amirulhadi Zainal were the four players who announced their premature retirements from international duty.

All four play for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), who are owned by Tunku Ismail.

"There are more players who want to follow suit but are too afraid of their superiors,” alleged Tunku Ismail in a posting on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page earlier this week.

The ensuing controversy has moved top athletes in the country to weigh in on the discussion which is trending on social media.

National shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin said he was saddened by the early retirement of the four players.

"I’m from Johor and to see this happen is saddening, but we must respect the decision they have made,” he opined.

"If I were in a similar situation, I would be upset too,” he added.

"In any case, I’m glad the footballers have their clubs to fall back on. I still look forward to seeing them in action in the league.”

National dodgeball team captain, Mohd Heidy Yusoff, said he would leave if the organisation he was affiliated with did not work for the welfare of the athletes.

"I will definitely leave if the organisation is bad,” said Heidy.

"Sports is about passion and if it’s not working out I will leave,” he said.

Squash player Rachel Arnold, said she would not tolerate an association not caring about her wellbeing.

"The worst for me would be if they didn’t fund overseas trips to tournaments, care about training or moreover me as an athlete,” she said.

Overall, the thrust of comments on social media and elsewhere is that FAM have much to answer for.