KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — The first semi-final match of the Malaysia Cup 2021 between Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC and Melaka United FC at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, Cheras, on Monday will take place without spectators.
It is as a punishment to KL City FC following the incident where supporters of The City Boys squad invaded the field immediately after the second quarter-final match between the team and Selangor FC on Thursday, which KL City FC won 1-0 to advance to the semi-finals on a 3-0 aggregate.
Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam said the incident clearly violated the rules of the Malaysia League (M-League) governing body regarding standard operating procedures (SOP) for Admission of Spectators for Malaysia Cup matches and Article 4.7.2 of the 2021 M-League Manual.
He said KL City FC as the host team were found guilty of violating Part 3 (v) of the 2021 Malaysia Cup Spectators Admission SOP which required supporters to practise physical distancing.
“The MFL received a reply from KL City FC yesterday, following which the MFL Board of Directors agreed that KL City FC be punished for a match without spectators for the first semi-final match,” he said in a statement last night.
Stuart said KL City FC also agreed and decided not to sell tickets for the first semi-final.
Meanwhile, Terengganu FC (TFC) were given a lighter sentence over the incident where their supporters encroached into the field in their Group C match against Selangor FC at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium (MBPJ) on November 7.
Stuart said the MFL secretariat found TFC had violated Clause 4.7.2 (i) (f) (5) of the Competition Rules in the M-League Manual which states that the conduct of supporters or spectators must be orderly, besides maintaining social distancing.
“The MFL secretariat has received reports that some TFC players were not maintaining physical distancing with supporters by running towards supporters to celebrate TFC’s second goal.
“MFL board members decided that TFC be given a stern warning and advised not to repeat the offence to avoid being punished more severely,” said Stuart.
During the match, some TFC supporters jumped over the stadium barriers and ran towards the field to celebrate the goal with the Turtles squad players, thus inviting the risk of Covid-19 infection among fans and players.
— Bernama
