Sultan says distraught Selangor FC have been punished for skipping the Charity Shield, warns he would have pulled the club out of the Super League if he could

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafudin Idris Shah Alhaj today expressed his displeasure in a rare public display of outrage against the governing body of the Malaysian Football League (MFL), calling the punishment meted out to the state-owned football club “irresponsible, inept, inhumane and apathetic”.

In a statement through the Selangor Royal Office, he warned the MFL to “be careful in taking any decision” and said he would have withdrawn the club from participating in the Super League if he had been in charge of the Selangor Football Association (FAS).

“I am currently only a patron within FAS. However, if I were the leader of FAS and Selangor FC, I would not hesitate to pull the Selangor team out of the Super League for a certain period,” the ruler said.

The current chairman of FAS is the Selangor Crown Price, Tengku Amir Shah.

Selangor FC were fined RM100,000 and deducted three points for pulling out of the Charity Shield against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on May 10 due to safety concerns. The Red Giants will also be forced to play JDT in an empty stadium for next year’s Super League match.

“I am angry and deeply saddened by the decision of the MFL directors and members of the Malaysian Football Association, especially the chairman Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin,” said the Sultan.

“I am shocked and disappointed that Datuk Hamidin apparently does not take it seriously to stand up (on behalf of the players) despite being the secretary-general of FAS from 1995 to 2013, having so much experience and having been awarded the Dato’ Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (DSIS) award by me.

“I am extremely angry about the decision of the MFL. I find it irresponsible, inhumane and apathetic towards the cruelty that has taken place.”

Sultan Sharafuddin, former chairman of FAS and current patron of the organisation, had openly supported Selangor’s decision to withdraw from the Charity Shield competition. The move was intended as a strong protest against the acid attack on Faisal Halim, the state’s young star player.

Faisal suffered severe burns and injuries from the attack, sparking public anger that prompted the Selangor ruler to issue a public statement.

The motive for the attack remains unclear even after more than a month of investigation, leading to speculation as to who is behind the crime.

The acid attack on Faisal was one of three attacks on footballers that took place that same week. Police have not ruled out that all the incidents were linked.

“That was the reason I supported FAS to request a postponement of the Charity Shield match as the players were still traumatised and feared for their safety. However, the MFL body ignored the request and gave the opponent the trophy and a 3-0 walkover victory,” Sultan Sharaffudin said.

He then reiterated that MFL’s disciplinary action against Selangor FC was “irrational” and “excessive” considering JDT had already secured a walkover victory and the Charity Shield.

“I am surprised that the people in MFL and FAM have not shown sympathy for the players who were attacked. Need I remind them that what happened has left a deep scar on the credibility of local football and crushed the spirit of Selangor FC,” the Selangor ruler said.

MFL directors had said the penalty was imposed after “several considerations”. Selangor FC is currently appealing the decision and considering all appropriate channels to take further action.