PULLOUT FROM SEASON OPENER
Selangor FC’s decision to pull out from the Charity Shield event on Friday came after the Malaysian Football League (MFL) decided to proceed with the match. Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah also said that he was disappointed that the MFL had rejected Selangor FC’s request to postpone the match.
“After much deliberation and detailed discussions, following a series of criminal incidents, and recent threats to several players and team officials, the club have reluctantly decided not to participate in the match.
“We would like to emphasise that the safety of the team is of the utmost importance, and we take all forms of violence and threats seriously,” they said in a statement on May 8, adding that they “deeply regretted” the matter.
A statement on Facebook by the Selangor Royal Office on Thursday read: “As the patron of Selangor FC, His Royal Highness believes that, in light of recent incidents endangering the lives of players and officials, it is appropriate for Selangor FC not to participate in the said match, which marks the inaugural fixture of the 2024 Super League.”
“His Royal Highness believes that at this juncture, the priority is the lives and safety of the players rather than winning the Cup.”
In response, JDT CEO Mr Edwards said that his team was disappointed with Selangor FC’s decision to withdraw from the match despite assurances from the police regarding the team’s safety.
“We vehemently condemn the incident involving Faisal Halim and the alleged threats received by some members at Selangor FC but we hope Selangor FC can reconsider their decision to withdraw from the match as this could set a precedent of teams pulling out because they feel unsafe, and that too despite assurances from the Royal Malaysian Police,” he said in a Facebook post on May 9.
He claimed that JDT had previously been attacked in hostile environments in Pahang, Perak and Kelantan in the past but “still travelled” and played those matches under increased police presence.
“Selangor have never been attacked at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. In fact their team and fans were escorted by police into the stadium and to their buses in previous matches.
“While the recent incidents involving Akhyar Rashid, Faisal Halim and Safiq Rahim are concerning, we must place our trust in authorities to not only investigate the cases but also to protect our safety and ensure the running of the 2024-25 football season,” he said.
In an Instagram post on May 9, Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim who is also the owner of JDT said that the “show must go on.”
“In life, the show must go on. #thegameisrigged #whatcanyoudo,” he said in the caption of a reel.
The MFL later on Thursday announced that the game has been cancelled because of Selangor FC’s decision not to play the game, with a 3-0 walkover victory being awarded to JDT.
As a result, the Southern Tigers gained three points from the walkover.
