This is for you!: Selangor players celebrating with Faisal Halim’s jersey after scoring a goal against Kedah in the Super League match on May 18.
PETALING JAYA: Selangor believe they did the right thing in not turning up for the Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta’zim last month.
And the state leaders are now upset over the Malaysian Football League’s (MFL) “harsh and unfair” decision to penalise them over the matter.
The club said they stayed away after a heinous act of violence on winger Faisal Halim, and now have the support of state exco man for sports Najwan Halimi.
Najwan said the MFL decision was meant to pressure the state team and went against all sporting spirit.
The MFL have fined Selangor RM100,000, deducted three points over their action and ordered them to play their next match against JDT in an empty stadium.
As though that was not harsh enough, Selangor will also have to pay the costs incurred by JDT and MFL in cancelling the Charity Shield match on May 10.
“The club had requested for a postponement of the match on May 5, after the multiple incidents involving professional footballers,” a statement from the Selangor club said.
“However, the club’s request for such postponement was rejected. The club will appeal this decision and explore all available avenues.”
In a statement issued earlier, MFL’s board of directors said they had considered many factors before deciding on the measures taken against the Red Giants.
“The RM100,000 fine will be donated to a charity that will be decided later. Selangor will also have to pay compensation for the losses incurred by the host team JDT and MFL.
“MFL will collect the information and costs submitted by JDT and the MFL Secretariat before submitting it to Selangor for further review and discussion.
“The team will also be docked three points from the 2024-2025 Super League, so they now have six points instead of nine in the league.”
The board also decided that the next Super League match involving Selangor against JDT at the Petaling Jaya Stadium will be played without spectators.
They said MFL and Selangor would organise the match, with representatives of both clubs deciding on who will be allowed into the stadium.
Selangor had withdrawn from the Charity Shield game due to security reasons after Faisal suffered an acid attack on May 5.
The club said they were concerned with the players’ safety and did not want to play in the opening match of the Malaysian League.
