By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Oct 3 — The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj and the Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim have expressed agreement for all quarters to keep their football rivalry strictly on the pitch.
The Johor Regent said this was among several matters discussed during an audience with the Selangor Ruler on Tuesday (October 1).
“Both Sultan Sharafuddin and the Regent agreed that there is a need for all parties to ensure that football rivalry stays on the pitch only and for there to be mutual respect and unity off the pitch,” Tunku Ismail said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Sultan Sharafuddin is the patron of Selangor FC while Tunku Ismail is the owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT).
Their discussion comes amid heightened tension in the local footballing scene in recent months.
In May, Selangor FC winger Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim suffered fourth-degree burns after he was splashed with acid by an unidentified individual at a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya, while teammate Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee’s home in Shah Alam was burgled.
In August, Tunku Ismail also appeared to mock Selangor FC following the Red Giants’ victory in The Sultan of Selangor Cup against Singapore, claiming that it was a self-gratifying cup that is not officially recognised.
Later that month, JDT defeated Selangor FC 6-1 in the FA Cup final.
Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail said he and Sultan Sharafuddin also discussed the importance of unity among the royal institution as well as the public.
“The Sultan of Selangor and the Johor Regent shared their thoughts on the unity among the people, professionalism in Malaysia and the importance of a united royal Institution to serve as a symbol of the country,” said His Highness.
Tunku Ismail’s Facebook post yesterday was accompanied by several pictures of his audience with His Royal Highness.
