PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia Football League (MFL) today revealed the reasons for its "heavy" punishment on Selangor FC.
The MFL yesterday fined the Red Giants RM100,000 and dock them three Super League points for failing to turn up for the Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta'zim at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on May 10 following the acid attack on Faisal Halim. The money from the fine will be given to a charity organization.
However, the MFL punishment of ordering Selangor to play their home match against JDT (in November) behind closed doors at the MBPJ Stadium, has raised eyebrows.
In response, the MFL claimed it has a valid reason for punishing Selangor in this way.
MFL Chief Executive Officer Datuk Stuart Ramalingam said today that Selangor can appeal against the punishment.
"Selangor have the right to appeal. We understand that no one will be happy with the sanctions by the league's organisers, and they can appeal so that the process could be brought to the next stage," said Stuart.
"The (MFL) board decided on item No. 4 based on commercial returns. For example, when the match was not played in Johor, there was no revenue or profit from that match. The view is that the reverse match should not have any profit for the participating team as well.
"It's a matter of commercial fairness. One team don't profit from not attending one match, but profit from the return match.
"The basis for the board's decision is the walkover of Game No. 1. The compensation is being paid to cover the costs, but nevertheless, the team that had the walkover win didn't have an opportunity to gain revenue.
"As we know, football clubs in Malaysia rely on this revenue. The profit from big matches goes to pay a lot of bills."
Stuart added that Selangor have yet to exhaust the football judicial process before taking it to a civil court or the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"It's a legal process. We are based on football regulation and mechanism. The teams are aware of the judicial process. I don't want to assume what Selangor meant in their media statement. They said they are looking at avenues.
"They have three to four days to appeal. They need to go through the Appeals Body. It's the normal steps. They can bring it to the civil court or CAS after that."