THE Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has confirmed it will take stern disciplinary action following an altercation at the Negeri Sembilan Futsal Arena yesterday, where Sabah’s head coach, Roger Filipe, was punched by his own assistant coach after a Malaysia Futsal Cup match.
FAM Secretary-General Datuk Noor Azman Rahman said a full report has been requested from match officials before the matter is referred to the Disciplinary Committee.
“We are reviewing the incident and are awaiting the official reports from the match commissioner and referee. All information gathered will be handed over to the Disciplinary Committee for further action,” he said, as quoted by Arena Metro.
“If found guilty, the coach involved may face suspension and a fine.”
The shocking incident occurred following the third-place playoff between Sabah and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), which ended in a dramatic 4-3 comeback victory for JDT. Sabah had earlier led 3-1 but conceded three unanswered goals in the latter stages of the match.
The result appeared to infuriate Filipe, who was visibly unable to contain his frustration. Eyewitnesses reported that he became agitated before being confronted by his own assistant, who unexpectedly landed a punch that knocked the head coach to the ground.
The altercation, witnessed by stunned spectators, was caught on video and has since gone viral on social media, sparking widespread condemnation and disbelief among the local futsal community.
The incident, which took place on an official tournament platform, has been criticised for tarnishing the image of the sport and Sabah’s futsal team.
Such scenes are virtually unheard of in modern Malaysian sport, particularly one involving violence between members of the same coaching staff.
While the Disciplinary Committee has yet to announce its verdict, both coaches are now under scrutiny, and Sabah’s campaign will be remembered less for their performance and more for this extraordinary controversy. - August 24, 2025
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