Ref gets suspension over spot-kick call errors in Sabah-Penang match

KUALA LUMPUR – The controversial referee of the Super League match between Sabah FC and Penang FC last Friday has been suspended with immediate effect from refereeing any Malaysia League matches this season.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman said that referee Zulkarnain Zakaria had erred in awarding penalty kicks to Sabah in the 41st minute and extra time (90+9).

“The FAM Referees Committee takes this matter seriously and will give reminders and stern warnings to all referees to always be optimal in carrying out their duties with a more holistic understanding of football.

“The committee will also not hesitate to take stern and appropriate action against any referee who displays a quality of judgment that does not meet the standards that have been set in future matches,” he said in a statement.

Noor Azman said the decision was made by the FAM Referee Performance Evaluation Committee chaired by FAM deputy president Datuk S. Sivasundaram. 

The committee met yesterday to study the report from the match’s referee assessor as well as video clips of each incident.

Sabah defeated Penang 5-2 in the match at the Likas Stadium, Kota Kinabalu.

Zulkarnain became the focus when he awarded four penalty kicks in the match, three to the hosts and one to Penang. – Bernama, March 19, 2023