DARUL TAKZIM have been awarded a win for the suspended second round FA Cup tie against T-Team which was abandoned at half-time with the Southern Tigers leading 2-1.
The Football Association Malaysia (FAM) competition committee said T-Team had no grounds to withdraw from the match, which ultimately handed the default 3-0 win to Darul Takzim.
“We have considered all aspects, having recorded statements from those involved from both teams, as well as the referee and match commissioner and we came up with this verdict,” said Commitee Chairman Datuk Affendi Hamzah after chairing the five-hour meeting at Wisma FAM today.
“It was made based on the paragraph 4.12.15(b) of the M-League 2013/16 Rules and Regulations.
“T-Team insisted about safety concerns, but we didn’t think it was a valid ground for them to withdraw.
“Both the referee and match commissioner had the given green light for the match to continue.
“The match was not called off by the referee, instead it was halted due to T-Team’s refusal to play.”
Touching on the incident in the tunnel, Secretary-General Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin has assured that it will be investigated and the disciplinary committee will take the necessary action.
Hamidin was vocal in saying that if there is a need to summon the responsible party for hearing, then it will be done without a doubt.
The verdict means that Darul Takzim will advance to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, where they will face Kedah in a two-legged tie on Feb 11 and Feb 18.
