Free-agent Gary learned his lesson after contract fiasco

PETALING JAYA: National midfielder Gary Steven Robbat has learned his lesson.

And he intends to appeal against the fine and suspension that has been meted out by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) player status committee.

The committee fined the player RM50,000 and banned him for three months starting Friday after finding him guilty of signing contracts before being officially released by FAM from the Harimau Muda A squad.

Three M-League teams – Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Pahang and Kedah – laid claim to the tenacious midfielder after he opted to leave the Harimau Muda A team.

Pahang and JDT claimed that he had signed a contract with them while Kedah alleged that the player had to play for them in the Premier League as per FAM’s rule on players leaving Harimau Muda A.

But Gary is distraught over the whole ugly episode.

“I made a hasty decision and I want to apologise for this mistake. I have learned my lesson and will be more careful next time,” said a remorseful Gary.

“I accept and respect FAM’s decision but I intend to file an appeal for leniency. (JDT) Coach Bojan (Hodak) has advised me to file an appeal ... to at least get the ban lifted so that I get to play in the AFC Champions League qualifiers.

“I don’t know how I will cope without playing football ... I hope FAM will consider my appeal and reduce the ban.

“I just want to apologise to everyone for the trouble I’ve caused.”

Committee chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan clarified that Gary’s contracts with Pahang, which was signed on Nov 14, and with JDT, signed on Nov 21, are null and void as the players was still a Harimau Muda A player at that time.

Gary was only released from the Harimau Muda A squad on Dec 1, last year.

The committee also decided that Gary was a free agent after leaving Harimau Muda A squad and rejected Kedah’s claim.

The Kulim-born player will make his return to football on March 16. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect as the M-League’s second transfer window will open from April 1-28.