FAs paying the price for violent fans

An ambulance became a victim to violent fans at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium after Terengganu were edged out in the FA Cup semi-final last month. - Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Terengganu football team have been punished for their fans’ unruly behaviour.

The Turtles will have to play one match in an empty stadium and fined RM87,500 as punishment for fan violence during and after the FA Cup semi-final return-leg match against Lions XII at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak last month.

The east coast side will take on Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in an empty Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium when the Super League resumes on June 20.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) disciplinary committee meted out the punishment on Wednesday.

The Terengganu FA have also been warned that they face similar punishment if their fans repeat the offence.

The Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium descended into chaos on May 16 after Terengganu were knocked out on the away goals rule by Singapore’s Lions XII. The two-leg match had ended 4-4 on aggregate.

The Turtles were 3-2 winners in the return-leg, but their fourth goal – by Ahmad Nordin Alias in the 89th minute – was disallowed for offside by referee Mohd Amirul Izwan Yaacob. Had that goal stood, Terengganu would have made the final.

After the match, Terengganu supporters burned an ambulance, vandalised the stadium and damaged the Lions’ team bus.

In another case, former JDT II goalkeeper Mohd Anis Faron was banned for six months and fined RM5,000 for violent conduct during and after the Premier League away match against Penang at the City Stadium on April 3.

The FAM also fined seven State FAs a total of RM225,000 for fan-related incidents, including lighting up flares, fireworks and unsporting behaviour in stadiums.

The Perak FA were slapped with the heftiest fine of RM105,000, followed by the Negri Sembilan FA (RM55,000); Selangor FA (RM17,500); Pahang FA (RM15,000); Sarawak FA (RM12,500); Johor FA (RM10,000) and Kelantan FA (RM10,000).

Both the Perak and Negri FAs were also given suspended sentences of one-match indoor ban for fan violence.

Premier League club side UiTM FC were fined RM3,000 for fielding an ineligible player in their home match against PKNS FC at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam on April 20. PKNS won the game 4-1 and the score remains.