FAM fined US$42,500 for unruly behaviour of fans during SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asian Football Confederation ( AFC) yesterday announced that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was fined US$ 42,500 (about RM179,784) for the behaviour of fans during the recent Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

AFC in its official website, www.the- afc.com, said the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee had made the decision at its meeting on Oct 27.

According to the report the FAM was fined a total of US$15,000 ( RM63,452) each following its supporters behaviour during the match between Malaysia and Brunei on Aug 14, and a match between Singapore and Malaysia on Aug 16.

“A group of fans were found to be in breach of Art. 58.1 ( Discrimination), read with Art. 65.1 ( Spectator Conduct) of the Code,” said the report.

It was repor ted that the Malaysian spectators chanted an unethical chant towards the opposing team.

“The fine shall be settled within 30 days from the date of the decision which is communicated in accordance with Article 11.3 of the Code. Football Association of Malaysia is informed that a repeat violation of this provision will be met with more severe punishment,” it added.

In addition, FAM was also fined US$ 7,500 (RM31,725) for spectators letting off a sound bomb in or around the 87th minute of the match between Malaysia and Indonesia on Aug 26, and a US$ 5,000 (RM21,152) fine for violating Article 64.1 of the AFC Disciplinary, due to spectators throwing 50 to 60 water bottles onto the field of play and towards the tunnel after the match between Indonesia and Cambodia on Aug 24.

Besides the incidents during the 2017 SEA Games, FAM was ordered to pay a fine of US$ 7,500 (RM31,725) for spectators throwing 10-15 missiles (water bottles, cans and cups) at the match officials ( Referees) after the Malaysia versus Hong Kong AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifiers match on Sept 7, at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka.

The national squad was also slapped with a US$ 6,000 (RM25,380) and US$ 5,000 ( RM21,152) fine respectively, for team misconduct when several players surrounded and harassed the referee, while national coach, Eduardo Manuel Mar t hinho Vingada made insulting comments about the referee during the post- match press conference.

The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee also fined national captain Safiq Rahim for an act of serious foul play during the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 (Qualifiers Final Round) match between Hong Kong and Malaysia on Oct 10, at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Saf iq is suspended for one match, which includes the one match automatic suspension arising from his expulsion from the match. — Bernama