PETALING JAYA: Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has slammed the punishment meted out on Selangor FC for withdrawing from the Charity Shield football match, saying it is absurd and excessive.
In a strongly worded statement, the Selangor Sultan said he believed that the punishment handed down of a RM100,000 fine, paying compensation to the home team and MFL for any losses incurred, a three-point deduction and playing a match without spectators was absurd and excessive considering that victory was given to the opposing team (Johor Darul Ta'zim FC).
His Highness also said he was disappointed with the decision made by the Malaysian Football League (MFL), the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) as well as FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.
"I am angered (murka) by the MFL decision, which to me is irresponsible, inhumane, made without compassion and did not take into account the injustice that occurred," he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 26).
His Highness said he had asked Selangor FC to request a postponement of the Charity Shield match as the club's players were still traumatised by the incident.
"However, the MFL refused the request and awarded the opponents (Johor Darul Ta'zim FC) a 3-0 win as well as the (Charity Shield) trophy," he said.
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Sultan Sharafuddin also said football was a sport that unites Malaysians.
"The excessive action by MFL goes against this spirit and only damages the image of the local football industry and erodes public support," he said, reminding the MFL to make decisions carefully.
In a statement on Tuesday (June 25), the MFL said it had fined Selangor FC RM100,000 and deducted three points from the team for their refusal to play in the Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on May 10.
It added that the upcoming Super League match between the two teams at the Petaling Jaya Stadium would be played without spectators.
On May 8, Selangor requested for the match to be postponed due to security reasons but when the MFL refused, they decided not to play.
On May 5, Selangor FC player Faisal Halim was attacked with acid, which led to Selangor pulling out of the Charity Shield match, which is the curtain raiser for the Malaysia Super League.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari also said the MFL should have shown empathy.
"As an administrative body of the football league, the MFL should play its role in championing justice, combating violence and also show empathy towards the safety of national football players who had been attacked viciously by parties without compassion and those who act as cowards.
"This unprecedented action that brought anger and disappointment amongst supporters should be a sign to the MFL that their decision was made without any sense of responsibility," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
He added that an effort will be launched to enable fans and other parties to collect donations to pay the fine.
"To spearhead this movement of solidarity, I and other members of the state executive council will contribute to collecting funds and paying the fine next week as a sign of commitment to champion justice for Selangor FC."
