PKNS’ Sherman claims racially abused during Terengganu clash

PETALING JAYA: Kpah Sherman (pic) is a hotshot in the Malaysian football league but the PKNS’ top scorer is also hot under the collar – from alleged racial monkey chants from fans.

The Super League’s Golden Boot winner with 14 goals, was particularly peeved during Tuesday’s Malaysia Cup Group A match against Terengganu at the Shah Alam Stadium.

In one incident when he tussled with Terengganu captain Lee Tuck for the ball and came out on top, he claimed that he was barraged by the chants.

“I took the ball from Tuck. Then I heard people imitating ape noises when I had the ball. I just kept on running,” said the 27-year-old Liberian international.

“Tuck told the crowd to stop. My family and friends were in the stadium, they heard it. For me, it’s normal here. I just get on with my game and help my team win.

“I see it every day, so it’s nothing new to me.”

This is not the first time Sherman claimed that he has been on the receiving end of racial abuses.

In May, he was allegedly called ‘b**i and f**k you monkey’, by a Kuala Lumpur defender during his team’s 1-2 loss in a Super League match at the Cheras Football Stadium.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have encouraged players to step forward and lodge a report if they are subjected to racist abuse, but Sherman said he is not planning to do so.

“The management (PKNS) should be taking a stand by reporting it. They were at the stands and should have heard it.

“The chants were loud. It was bad. The fans heard it.”

PKNS manager Mahfizul Rusydin Abdul Rashid said if the incident did occur, it would have been noted down by the match commissioner.

“We noticed it, but we don’t know how to describe the chant. When he was at the away end, we could hear noises. Not sure if it’s a boo or chant,” said Mahfizul.

“Kpah has not spoken to us about the incident. He has not lodged a report to officials or coaches.”

FAM secretary general Stuart Ramalingam said they will go through the match commissioner and referee’s report to investigate the incident.

“If a player has been racially abused, he can come to us or speak to their management and then meet us,” said Stuart.

“We are serious about combating racism in football. We’ve also educated our referees on how to monitor racial abuses during matches.”