SHAH ALAM: The state government, through the Selangor State Sports Council (MSNS), has launched the Selangor Football Club (Selangor FC) Solidarity Fund.
Funds will be collected between Wednesday night and July 2.
Selangor Youth and Sports Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said the initiative after the "unfair and oppressive" decision of the Malaysian Football League to slap Selangor FC with a RM100,000 fine for pulling out of this season's Charity Shield match.
"Football, which all this while has been upheld as a sport that unites the people, has now been marred by violence and extremism to the point of causing division.
"The state government respects the decree of the Sultan of Selangor, which reflects His Majesty's firmness and sensitivity towards various issues and injustices faced by Selangor FC.
"Therefore, this initiative aims to provide an opportunity for all Malaysians and football fans across the country, irrespective of state borders, to express support for Selangor FC by making a small contribution of RM1 to the Selangor FC Solidarity Fund," he said in a statement today.
Najwan said the funds collected would be passed on to Selangor FC to help it "fight for justice to the highest levels" against the punishment given by MFL.
To those who want to contribute, you can scan the QR code provided as a sign of your solidarity.
"May this initiative encourage participation from all parties who share our aspirations of restoring football as a sport that fosters harmony and unity among the people," he said.
Selangor FC had pulled out of the Charity Shield after their star, Faisal Halim, was splashed with acid by unknown assailants while entering his car at a shopping mall in Damansara.
Yesterday, MFL announced that the Red Giants Selangor must pay a fine of RM100,000 and compensate Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) for their absence, as well as host JDT behind closed doors in the return Super League match at MBPJ Stadium in November. Selangor was also docked three points.
Following the decision, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah voiced his disappointment, saying that he was deeply saddened by the decisions of members of MFL and the Football Association of Malaysia, particularly its president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.
The ruler also said his role as Selangor FC patron was limited, but if it were up to him, he would not hesitate to take the team out of the league.