Kelantan’s Zaharulnizam gets extra match ban

PETALING Kelantan winger Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria has been handed an additional one-match ban.

The Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) disciplinary committee had slapped Wan Zaharulnizam with a five-match ban and RM2,000 fine on June 11 after finding him guilty of violent conduct in the Red Warriors’ 5-2 home loss to Selangor at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru on May 21.

The former Harimau Muda player, who has already sat out four matches, received a blow when the Appeals Committee yesterday shot down his plea for a reduced sentence.

The Appeals Committee, instead, increased the ban from five to six matches.

Having already sat out matches against Terengganu (July 15), Pahang (July 23), Johor Darul Ta’zim (July 26) and Felda United (on Wednesday), he will now be ruled out for the matches against Terengganu FC II (tomorrow) and Penang (Aug 16).

The Appeals Committee have also rejected a plea for leniency by Kuantan FA coach Zulhamizan Zakaria.

The former international was banned for seven months and fined RM3,000 for violent conduct and abusing the referee during the Premier League match against UiTM FC in Shah Alam on Feb 26 and in the FA Cup match against Perak in Ipoh on March 5.