FAM slaps eight with life ban for match fixing (updated)

PETALING JAYA: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) disciplinary committee imposed a life ban on five players and three team officials, including a kitman from the Kuala Lumpur Premier League football squad for match fixing scandals this season.

The eight were also slapped with a RM20,000 fine each on Friday.

Disciplinary committee chairman Datuk Taufek Abdul Razak said another seven KL players will be hauled up at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya on Dec 27.

The KL team have been demoted to the third-tier FAM Cup competition next season.

The team officials banned include Slovak coach Stanislav Lieskovsky, assistant manager Rosli Omar and kitman Shaari Jani. The five players are Jeremy Danker, Khairul Anuar, Hafizi Roslee, Fadhulah Yunsiar and Phoo Kai Lun.

Kuala Lumpur FA (KLFA) president Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz said he hoped all parties would continue to carry out their duties in their bid to wipe out corruption from the game.

“We will provide any form of assistance to the relevant authorities to fight corruption. We want the game to be clear of this disease,” said Astaman.

Coach Stanislav, a former Sparta Prague midfielder, left the country in July.

One of the players banned, Hafizi, had been charged by the disciplinary committee in September. He was suspended six months for failing to play to a level that is considered satisfactory. The player was charged under Article 35.1 by the disciplinary board for his actions during a Premier League match against Sime Darby at the KLFA Stadium on May 17 which KL lost 5-0.

Article 35.1 relates to performances which are unsporting. Hafizi was found guilty of making a deliberate pass inside his own penalty box to enable an opposing player, in this case striker Karlo Primorac, to score.

In that game, KL fans displayed a banner “Fans 0, Bookies 5” during the match.