KUALA LUMPUR: While there was no doubt about Johor Darul Ta'zim's superiority over Selangor in yesterday's FA Cup final, the referee's handling of the match has come into question.
Referee Nazmi Nasaruddin's performance has sparked widespread criticism. The match, which saw JDT winning 6-1, was marred by several contentious decisions.
A particularly controversial moment occurred when JDT's Feroz Baharudin appeared to have struck Selangor forward Ronnie Fernandez in the head during the first half. No action for the incident, which clearly merited a red card.
This has also baffled fans and raised questions about the effectiveness of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which was not used in this instance.
A video of the incident has quickly spread on social media, leading many to question Nazmi's ability to manage the game and ensure player safety.
Subkhiddin Salleh, former chairman of the FAM referees committee and an accredited Fifa instructor, said: "The FA Cup final should highlight the best of football, free from controversy. Referees and VAR are essential for making accurate decisions and maintaining the game's integrity.
"When such clear infractions are overlooked, it's both disheartening and disappointing," said Subkhiddin.