Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ)
PETALING JAYA: Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ) fired a salvo at Malaysian Football League (MFL) for not sticking to their guns in penalising Selangor for withdrawing from last month's Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT).
MFL have reduced the fine from RM100,000 to RM60,000 and canceled their decision to dock three points. They have also reversed their call and will now allow spectators to watch Selangor's next match against JDT in the Super League at home.
Earlier, MFL had reduced the penalties after Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah slammed their 'excessive' punishment.
In a posting on the Johor Southern Tigers' facebook on Thursday night just hours after MFL's U-turn, Tunku Ismail made scathing attack against the governing body via a short message that was laced with sarcasm.
"After today, any club that does not pay salaries on time, or pulls out at their whims and fancy, or breaks any regulation, just need to ask their state's Sultan to write a letter expressing anger," said Tunku Ismail, who is also the owner of JDT.
"Teams from every state that have done something wrong can all now ask MFL to withdraw their decision by seeking the good will of their respective Tuanku Sultan to issue a letter. After this, other Tuanku Sultans will also ask, why Selangor can get their punishment reduced but our state can't?
"Since 2013, JDT have been fined hundreds of thousands and I was once banned for six months, but Tuanku Sultan Johor never issued a letter not made a statement. Even giving the Datuk title was brought up.
What irked TMJ was that the fine was reduced even without Selangor sending in an appeal letter.
"MFL have made a U-turn without receiving an appeal letter. Those who have been attacking MFL online endlessly should now start praising MFL"
MFL have given Selangor three days to appeal on the reduced fine, and Selangor are set to appeal.
