THE lack of empathy shown towards Selangor FC was among the reasons for Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar's sudden resignation from the Football Association of Malaysian Football (FAM).
Speaking to The Vibes, Shahril said the Malaysian Football League (MFL) has lost its soul and the body is no longer about organising football matches.
On Wednesday, Shahril shocked the football fraternity by resigning from all posts in FAM with immediate effect.
His resignation came after Selangor FC was hit with a RM100,000 fine for not playing in the Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) last month.
In addition to the fine, Selangor FC was docked three points by the MFL and required to compensate JDT for losses sustained as the host of the opening match and the MFL for losses resulting from the withdrawal from the match on May 10.
"Football has lost its soul. There is no more empathy, and this is not about organising the league."
"In any given situation you need to have empathy," said Shahril bitterly who is also Selangor FC deputy president.
Shahril said another reason for his resignation was due to the disappointment expressed by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
"How can I still stay in FAM when our patron, the Sultan himself, has expressed displeasure and condemned the excessive punishment on us," he added.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Wednesday expressed disappointment with FAM especially with FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.
“I am surprised and disappointed because Hamidin did not take a serious stance, despite his previous role as the secretary-general of the Selangor Football Association from 1995 to 2013 and is experienced in the state football arena,” the Sultan said in a statement.
The sultan also said he was angry over the latest decision by MFL which he deemed as irresponsible, merciless and inhumane.
“It does not show any concern at all for the cruelty that had taken place,” he said.
The FAM appears to be trying to explain its position with FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin seeking an audience with Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin.
Hamidin acknowledged the reprimand from the ruler, saying he had made contact on Wednesday with the Selangor palace.
"I am aware of the sadness and disappointment expressed by the sultan of Selangor. I contacted the palace yesterday. Today, I followed it up with a 'warkah' (letter) asking for an audience," he said on Thursday.
Selangor withdrew from the Super League-cum-Charity Shield match five days after their star winger, Faisal Halim, was attacked with acid in Damansara Jaya.
Following the acid attack on Faisal, Sultan Sharafuddin said Selangor FC sent a notice to MFL to postpone its matches but was rejected.
“Victory had already been handed to JDT. I think the RM100,000 fine, compensation to JDT and MFL and point docking are excessive punishments.
“Sport is meant to unite the people, and now it has fallen victim to violence.
“What’s even worse is the MFL and FAM are not voicing out against such incidents, or taking precautions against such occurrences,” said the FAS patron.
MFL chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam said that Selangor FC could appeal the MFL’s decision and had until the end of this week to do so. – June 27, 2024.
