KUALA LUMPUR: His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Regent of Johor, criticised the Malaysian Football League (MFL) for reducing Selangor FC's fine for withdrawing from the Charity Shield.
In a social media post yesterday, Tunku Ismail said MFL's decision will set a bad precedent as any club that violates the rules would turn to their respective ruler to intervene on their behalf.
"After today, any club that does not pay salaries on time, or pulls out at their whims and fancy, or breaks any regulation, just need to ask their state's Sultan to write a letter expressing anger.
"Teams from every state that have done something wrong can all now ask MFL to withdraw their decision by seeking the good will of their respective Tuanku Sultan to issue a letter.
"After this, other Tuanku Sultans will also ask, why Selangor can get their punishment reduced but our state can't? said Tunku Ismail, who owns the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) football club.
The Regent of Johor said in 2013 was fined hundreds of thousands of ringgit while he was slapped with a six-month ban from all football activities.
"But Tuanku Sultan Johor (at the time) never issued any letter nor made a statement (regarding the fines)," Tuanku Ismail said.
"MFL made a U-turn (in the Selangor FC's case) without receiving an appeal letter. Those who have been relentlessly attacking MFL online should now consider praising MFL," he said.
He claimed the incident has revealed the "real tokong" of Malaysian football.
On Tuesday, MFL announced RM100,000 fine for Selangor FC and required them to compensate JDT for missing the Charity Shield.
The league also said Selangor FC will be docked three points and play their return Super League match against JDT behind closed doors at MBPJ Stadium in November.
The, however, sparked anger among Selangor FC supporters and experts, who considered the fine excessive.
Yesterday, MFL announced a reduction of the fine from RM100,000 to RM60,000.