PETALING JAYA: Selangor key player Faisal Halim received a lifeline after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) appeals committee eased the sentence of the national winger.
Faisal is now allowed to train with his Selangor teammates although the one-month suspension stays.
The 25-year-old was previously banned from training.
Datuk Seri Mohd Mokhtar Shariff, the chairman of the committee, said the decision to relax the punishment was to ensure that the fitness level of the player remained at its best.
“For the case involving Selangor player Faisal Halim, the one-month suspension from July 25 to Aug 23 is maintained,” said Mokhtar in a statement.
“However, the committee agreed to give flexibility to allow Faisal to return to training sessions with Selangor with immediate effect to ensure that he can maintain his level of fitness as a football player.”
The disciplinary committee chaired by Datuk Dr Baljit Singh Sidhu previously had sentenced Faisal to a four-month suspension.
The suspension is in line with the offence under Article 61 of the FAM disciplinary code (press statements) and Article 82 of the FAM statute (contributions to the media) through the statement issued by the player to the media after the match between Selangor and Sabah on April 27.
Faisal was suspended for one month first with immediate effect while the remaining three months until August would be subjected to the player’s conduct.
Meanwhile, the appeal of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) regarding the fine for allowing fans to fire flares between March and April this year was rejected.
“For the first three cases involving JDT supporters burning flares, the appeal submitted by the JDT club was rejected, thus the fine amounting to RM120,000 for the three cases is upheld,” added Mokhtar.
