Reps defend Selangor FC

PETALING JAYA: More Selangor state assemblymen have offered to donate their salaries to help Selangor FC settle the fine imposed by the Malaysian Football League (MFL).

Selangor FC was initially slapped with a fine of RM100,000 for not playing in the Charity Shield match but the amount was brought down to RM60,000.

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The decision to reduce the fine was announced by MFL late yesterday evening.

However, compensation for losses incurred by Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and MFL due to Selangor FC’s refusal to play the match is maintained.

Selangor’s three-point deduction for the 2024-2025 Super League season has also been cancelled, while the ban on spectators to the match against JDT at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium has also been lifted.

Meanwhile, Sungai Air Tawar assemblyman Datuk Rizam Ismail said he would donate half of his salary for next month to help the football club settle the fine.

He is the third state representative to do so, following in the footsteps of Lembah Jaya assemblyman and rapper Altimet and Kota Damansara’s Izuan Kasim.

Rizam, who is state rural development, unity and consumers committee chairman, said he is coming forward in the spirit of solidarity with Selangor FC.

“This solidarity is not a political show but a manifestation of the support from the people of Selangor for our pride – the Red Giants. Whether they are on top or below, we remain loyal together,” he said in a statement.

“I hope the supporters will continue their strong support for Selangor so that all the players remain motivated to face this challenge. May the Red Giants continue to be a force in Malaysian football,” he added.

Earlier, a crowdfunding initiative was launched to help Selangor FC pay off the RM100,000 fine.

Taking to X, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced the campaign.

“The fund will be managed by Selangor FC officials. Let’s put our support together for the team!” he said in a tweet yesterday.

The tweet was accompanied by a poster calling for donors to donate only RM1 as a sign of solidarity with the Red Giants.

This came after MFL fined the club RM100,000 and deducted three points for its refusal to play against JDT on May 10.

Apart from the fine, Selangor also has to compensate for losses incurred by MFL and JDT as the host team and for its home game against JDT to be played in Petaling Jaya without spectators.

Selangor had requested a postponement of the match after its player, Faisal Halim, suffered grievous injuries in an acid attack on May 5.

When MFL refused to grant the postponement, Selangor withdrew from the game for security reasons.

On Wednesday, Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah hit out at MFL over the move to punish Selangor FC, saying the decision was made “without compassion”.

In a strongly worded statement, His Royal Highness slammed the punishment, saying it was “excessive and illogical”.

Apart from MFL, Sultan Sharafuddin also took members of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), and in particular FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, to task.

The Sultan also voiced his “shock and disappointment” at Hamidin for not speaking out, even though he was once Selangor FA’s secretary-general.