N. Sembilan’s Group C rivals awarded 3-0 wins — MFL

KUALA LUMPUR: With the withdrawal of Negeri Sembilan FC from the 2021 Malaysia Cup competition after almost the whole team tested positive for Covid-19, the three other teams in Group C will be awarded 3-0 wins.

Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam said in a statement that the decision was taken after referring to Section 13: SOP Compliance on the hosting of the 2021 Malaysia Cup matches.

He said that if team officials or players are found positive and required to undergo quarantine as stipulated by the Ministry of Health (MOH), which then results in the team not being able to train or take part in competitions, then matches involving the affected club would be cancelled.

“In their letter to the MFL, Negri Sembilan had decided not to continue playing in the group stage of the tournament for the sake of protecting the football sports bubble as well as for the safety of players and officials.

“This is because Negeri Sembilan, through their team doctor, had explained that the players and officials who tested positive would experience certain side effects due to infection, among them a decreased level of physical fitness and ‘detraining’ effects, post-Covid19 infection symptoms as well as cardiovascular,” he said.

The decision is set to see Kedah Darul Aman FC get six points without breaking a sweat, while Melaka United and Kelantan United will each get three free points.

In their remaining four group matches, Negeri Sembilan were scheduled to meet Kedah on Oct 29 and Nov 2, Melaka (Nov 6) and Kelantan (Nov 9).