Friday 29 Mar 2024
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IPOH: The entire staff and all officials of the Perak Super League have been suspended for two weeks by the Perak Football Association over alleged sabotage and corruption following the squad’s lacklustre performance.

Perak FA deputy president Khairul Azwan Harun said a report was lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police yesterday over suspected corruption and sabotage following a series of defeats suffered by the “Kejor Yob Kejor” squad in the Malaysia Cup tournament.

“We have also set up a task force headed by the FA’s disciplinary committee chairman Datuk Ismail Saffian to investigate what we have dreaded for a long time. They have two weeks to carry out the investigation and report the findings to the main executive committee of the Perak FA,” he told reporters yesterday.

He said sabotage and corruption are suspected in Perak’s last four Malaysia Cup encounters that culminated in a 6-1 drubbing by Sarawak in Kuching last Saturday.

The officials and staff are required to report to the Perak FA every day during the suspension which starts tomorrow, Ismail said, adding that the players must also report daily unless they are attending training. No players have been suspended.

Khairul said all players must report to the Perak FA Football Academy chief coach Marshall Soper and Yayasan Bina Upaya Darul Ridzuan Football Club (YBUDR FC) chief coach Sayuddin Md Isa. The pair have been appointed caretaker coaches.

“The Perak FA management committee and emergency committee will take stern action against officials, staff and players who fail to report ... from [tomorrow].

“This is a warning after the debacles in Kuching and other places, which are unacceptable. We can accept defeat, but not the attitude shown,” he said.

Khairul said the decision on the suspension was made after considering the views of the Perak FA council members and stakeholders, including the fan club.

He said outstanding salary arrears and Employees Provident Fund contributions are no longer at issue as they were resolved after Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin took over as Perak FA president in 2010.

Khairul said the Perak FA will not hesitate to take drastic action. He described the lack of commitment, dedication and self-discipline as elements of sabotage that are destructive to the football squad although no corruption might occur.

“I have been managing the squad since 2011. I know when they really play or otherwise. Three years have taught me well, so do not take what I am saying for granted,” he said.

Perak, who were drawn in Group D in the Malaysia Cup failed to make it to the quarter-finals when they lost 1-0 to Kedah on Sept 17, were edged 2-1 by Lions XII (Aug 31) and trounced 6-1 by Sarawak last Saturday. — Bernama


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on September 24, 2013.


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