SOP non-compliance will result in ban on spectators, MFL warns

PETALING JAYA: MalaysianLeague (M-League) teams that are not complying with the standard operating procedures (SOP) involving spectators, will be barred from having fans on the stands, warns Malaysian Football League (MFL).

MFL chief executive officer Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said they have been receiving complaints from the National Security Council (NSC) that many teams and their fans, often breaches the SOPs set to contain the spread of the Covid-19.

“If there is no improvement, it will cause us to disallow spectators into the stadium to watch matches anymore. So far the venues found failing in the monitoring have been advised to take actions,” he said without naming the venues.

Ab Ghani was asked on the action against SOP noncompliance after the launching and draw for the eMFL Super League 2021.

The 12th player (fans) were allowed in all venues, except Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, Kota Bharu, from April 6 after trials at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium during the Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) 3-0 win against Melaka United on April 2 and Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras during Kuala Lumpur

City FC’s goalless draw against Sabah FC a day after.

Based on the SOPs for the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) areas, the spectator capacity in the stadium is 10 per cent with a maximum of 2,000 people, while stadiums in areas placed under the Recovery MCO (RMCO) is 25 per cent with a maximum of 8,000 people, with strict supervision at all times.

Ab Ghani also added that the matches during Ramadan month is scheduled to start at 10 pm in peninsula and 9.15 pm in Sabah and Sarawak while stadium gates will be open for fans two hours before the kick-off time and closed 15 minutes before the match starts.