THE Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) disciplinary committee today found 17 Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) players guilty for match fixing in the Premier League last season, and thus slapped them each with an RM5,000 fine.
Chairman of the committee, Datuk Taufik Tan Sri Abdul Razak told the media the players have only been punished with a fine because it was not completely their fault.
“We have taken our time to look into this matter, and that is why we have called for a press conference today instead of Jan 28. All 17 players have admitted to the charge of throwing away matches in the Premier League last season, citing duress.
“They have been punished with an RM5,000 fine each, but we have also identified about five to six KLFA office bearers who are behind this. Due to safety reasons, I cannot disclose their names, but it will be passed to the rules and regulations committee to be dealt with further actions, which include the involvement of higher authority – police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision (MACC),” explained Taufik at a press conference in Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya.
FAM claimed the players were afraid to come out earlier, considering they are still in their early 20s and most of them feared for their own safety and that of their family.
Taufik also revealed some of the players were physically abused and threatened.
“Some of the players even had people coming over to their houses, and this put them under a lot of pressure. They have gone to the association but what can they do when they have been ordered to do so?” Taufik questioned.
Asked when the rules and regulation committee intend to take action on those identified, Taufik replied: “It’ll be dealt with in the closest time possible.”
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