By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, June 26 — Furious by the penalty imposed on Selangor FC for missing the Charity Shield match last month, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj today slammed national football authorities for their hard-handed decision.
His Royal Highness did not mince words as he took the Malaysian Football League (MFL) and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to task after Selangor FC were slapped with a RM100,000 by the former yesterday.
He criticised the three-point deduction for the Red Giants in the Malaysia Super League, the order for them to pay compensation to MFL and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) for losses sustained as the host of the season opener, and the order for Selangor FC to play their home league game against JDT behind closed doors.
“I am extremely angered by this latest decision by the MFL, which I consider irresponsible, uncompassionate, inhumane and lacking empathy for the injustice that has occurred,” he said in a statement issued by the Selangor Royal Office.
“I now serve only as a patron of the Football Association of Selangor (FAS). However, if I were in a leadership position within FAS and Selangor FC, I would not hesitate to withdraw the team from the Super League for a certain period.”
Sultan Sharafuddin called the punishment senseless and outrageous, especially as JDT had already been given a 3-0 victory in the Charity Shield match.
He also said Selangor FC’s decision to seek a postponement to the season opener, which he consented to, was rejected despite concerns surrounding players’ safety following the acid attack on Faisal Halim on May 5.
“I’m perplexed that the MFL and FAM did not show any sympathy or compassion towards those wronged. Remember that this incident not only tarnishes the credibility of football in this country, but can also kill the spirit and direction of Selangor FC.
“I would like to remind (the authorities) again that football is a beloved sport that unites the nation, based on the high spirit of sportsmanship. These excessive actions by the MFL do not reflect this spirit and will only tarnish the image of our local football scene and public support for football.”
He reminded the MFL to make decisions with care.
His Royal Highness added he has “never seen anything like what is transpiring today” in his decades of involvement in football.
He bemoaned how a sport that should have been a platform to unify the multiracial community of Malaysia has now been tainted by violence.
“What’s worse is that the MFL and FAM have not taken a serious stance or necessary precautions after the violence and injustice happening to the players.”
Sultan Sharafuddin also took particular aim at FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, expressing his surprise and disappointment at how the latter, who served as FAS secretary-general from 1995 to 2013 and received his title from the Selangor royalty, has been silent on this matter.
Yesterday, Selangor FC said they were looking into taking action after being penalised by the MFL for their absence in the Charity Shield match against JDT.
