KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said he had sent a letter requesting an audience with the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, regarding the ‘rebuke’ from His Royal Highness yesterday.
Hamidin, however, declined to comment further on the matter but will give an explanation regarding the controversy in national football.
“I am aware of the Sultan of Selangor’s displeasure regarding the MFL (Malaysian Football League) decision. I contacted the Selangor Palace yesterday and today followed up with a letter requesting an audience with His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Selangor.
“So, God willing, I will try to resolve this by providing an explanation (about the current issue),” he said after the launch ceremony of the 2024 National Women’s League (LWN) at Lalaport, Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) here today.
Yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin expressed deep disappointment and sadness with the MFL decision and FAM members, especially Hamidin, regarding the punishment imposed on Selangor FC for their absence from the Charity Shield match on May 10.
The Selangor Ruler was extremely angry with the latest MFL decision, which His Royal Highness described as irresponsible, lacking compassion, inhumane and not showing concern for the injustice that occurred.
Meanwhile, Hamidin confirmed he had received a resignation letter from Football Association of Selangor deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar, who made the shocking move to relinquish all his positions in FAM effective yesterday.
Hamidin said there would be no immediate appointment to fill positions vacated by Shahril, including the sponsorship and marketing committee chairman role and the national under-23 squad manager seat, as they can only be filled at the FAM election congress next year.
Yesterday, MFL chief executive officer Datuk Stuart Ramalingam announced Selangor FC can submit an appeal to the governing body after being handed four penalties following their no-show at the Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
He said Selangor FC has until the end of this week to submit an official appeal letter, and the penalties imposed on Selangor, as decided by the MFL board of directors, may be reduced based on the consideration of the MFL appeals body.
In a previous statement, MFL said Selangor FC were penalised, among other things, with a RM100,000 fine and a three-point deduction in the Super League.
They must also pay compensation for losses incurred by JDT as host of the season opener, with the amount to be announced later, and the Super League match between Selangor and JDT at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium will be played without spectators.
However, in a statement, Selangor FC said they are examining all appropriate channels to take further action.
Selangor said they requested a postponement of the Charity Shield match after an acid attack against winger Faisal Halim on May 5 and several other attacks involving local football players, but the request was rejected.
The decision saw JDT being awarded a 3-0 victory by default and given three points in the Super League.
The three-point deduction saw Selangor, previously in second place in the Super League with nine points, fall to fifth place.
— Bernama
