Football

Exercise wisdom and restraint in football, Sultan Selangor issues decree

KUALA LUMPUR: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has issued a significant message to the management of Selangor FC (SFC) and its dedicated supporters, Ultras Selangor in particular, in light of recent events.

The Selangor Royal Office, in a statement on social media today (Oct 21), disclosed that on October 10 Sultan Sharafuddin had sent a letter to SFC management reminding all parties to be mindful of their conduct.

He urged all involved to uphold respectful behavior to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts, both on and off the pitch, which could lead to hostility and violence.

"Sultan Sharafuddin called on players and supporters alike to exercise wisdom and restraint in managing their emotions, warning against falling prey to provocations that could result in harmful consequences.

"In football, winning or losing is part of the game but what truly matters is the ability to celebrate victories and learn from defeats," read the statement.

Last week, four media representatives lodged formal complaints with the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM).

They reported an unsettling encounter with an SFC official who allegedly used offensive language and pressured them to delete photos that could harm the club's reputation. The situation escalated as the journalists were unable to leave the stadium due to provocations from fans.

The SFC official had previously faced a 10-match suspension and a RM10,000 fine for extreme provocation during a quarter-final match of the 2023 Malaysia Cup against Terengganu at MBPJ Stadium on Sept 24, 2023.

In response to the incident, SFC technical committee chairman Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar has publicly apologised to the affected media practitioners.

"The management has deliberated on this matter and will ensure that the official involved will no longer be present on the field or in the stadium," said Shahril yesterday.

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