SHAH ALAM, June 26 — Selangor FC has been urged to file a protest against the decision by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) yesterday, which penalised the team for not participating in the Charity Shield Cup last month.
State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said the decision by the Malaysian League's governing body is oppressive, unfair, and disregards the spirit of sportsmanship in football.
“Decisions should be made by taking into account Selangor FC’s request for the postponement of the Charity Shield match following the violence involving Faisal Halim and several other players.
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State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi speaks during the handover ceremony of Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) donations to the Selangor Archery Association and Selangor Rugby Union for the 21st Malaysia Games in Sarawak, at MBI's headquarters in Shah Alam, on June 24, 2024. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
“I have contacted the club's management and urged them to file a protest against this decision,” he said on his X (formerly Twitter) account yesterday.
MFL announced that the Red Giants squad will be fined for not participating in the Charity Shield Cup match against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on 10 May.
For this offence, Selangor FC was fined RM100,000, required to pay compensation for JDT and MFL’s losses, and faced a three-point deduction in the Super League competition.
Meanwhile, in a statement responding to the league yesterday, the club said it is currently reviewing and considering all appropriate channels before taking further action regarding the penalty.
Selangor FC stressed that it requested the postponement of the match following the acid attack on its winger Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim and several other incidents involving local football players. However, their request was denied.
On May 5, the local football scene was shocked by the incident in which Faisal was injured, reportedly after being doused with acid at a shopping centre in Petaling Jaya.
Three days later, Selangor FC withdrew from the Charity Shield Cup match against JDT due to safety concerns, emphasising its serious view of all threats received by several players and officials.
The 26-year-old player is now recovering, managed by Selangor FC, which involves physical training and emotional management.
On June 13, he his first public appearance during a special press conference at the Selangor FC Training Centre, with the wounds on his left hand and head visible.
Faisal admitted that he almost gave up and wanted to quit football after the acid attack.
“I was willing to lose tens of thousands in salary and quit playing football as long as my family and I were safe,” he said with visible emotion during the press conference.
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Harimau Malaya star Faisal Halim seen at his first public appearance since a May 5 acid attack put him out of commission, at the Selangor FC training centre, Shah Alam, on June 13, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
