Piala Sumbangsih: JDT disappointed with Selangor FC's withdrawal decision
The club hoped Selangor FC would reconsider their decision because the police had provided assurances of safety for the team, players and supporters on match day.
SHAH ALAM - Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) football club is disappointed with Selangor FC's decision to withdraw from the Piala Sumbangsih competition scheduled to take place at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri on Friday.
JDT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alistair Edwards said that the club hoped Selangor FC would reconsider their decision because the police had provided assurances of safety for the team, players and supporters on match day.
"We strongly condemn the incidents involving Faisal Halim and the threats received by several individuals at Selangor FC, but we hope that Selangor FC will reconsider their decision not to attend this match because it could set a precedent for any team to withdraw citing safety concerns despite receiving assurances from the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP).
"We have been attacked in hostile conditions in Pahang, Perak and Kelantan before, but we still went to the opposition's ground and played in matches tightly controlled by the police.
"Selangor has never been attacked at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. In fact, their team and supporters were escorted by police into the stadium and to their buses in previous matches," he said in a statement.
Previously, Selangor FC had requested the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to postpone the Piala Sumbangsih citing safety reasons following the acid attack on their key player, Faisal Halim and threats received by several club officials.
However, MFL rejected the request, leading Selangor FC to decide to withdraw considering the recent criminal incidents and threats involving several players and team officials within just 72 hours.
Alistair stated that all parties should place trust in the authorities, especially in investigating the incidents that occurred, and ensuring safety to ensure the smooth running of the 2024-25 football season.
"Despite the recent incidents involving Akhyar Rashid, Faisal Halim and Safiq Rahim being concerning, we need to place trust in the authorities not only to investigate these cases but also to ensure safety and the smooth running of the 2024-25 football season," he said.
