KELANTAN FC head coach Rezal Zambery Yahya and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) midfielder Safiq Rahim were each penalised in disciplinary action meted out by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in the last days of 2021.

FAM Disciplinary Committee chairman Baljit Singh Sidhu said the sentences were decided by the committee yesterday in its fifth meeting for the 2021-2025 term at Wisma FAM.

Rezal was given a two-month suspension from engaging in any football activities, including administrative activities, football sports management and related activities and fined RM10,000.

It stems from a statement the coach, who is a former national midfielder, made during an interview on issues related to FAM without permission where it could have a negative impact on the good name and reputation of the parent body regarding the Malaysia Cup match between Kelantan FC and Sabah FC on September 30.

Rezal was also found to have criticised the administration of FAM affairs involving aspects of refereeing or the management of the Malaysia League (M-League) during the match at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Baru.

“However, the committee decided to adopt article 35 of the FAM disciplinary code where this official is suspended for the first one-month only and the remaining (second) one-month is suspended subject to the good conduct of the official,” said Baljit in a statement today.

According to the statement, the suspension imposed on Rezal is the first one-month from December 30, 2021 to January 29, 2022 and the second one-month suspension from January 30 to February 28 next year is subject to good conduct.

“If this official commits any violation contained in the FAM disciplinary code within 12 months after the first suspension, then the second one-month suspension will be enforced immediately against this official. The decision of the fine can be appealed,” said Baljit.

Meanwhile, Safiq was found to have violated article 50.1(d) of the FAM disciplinary code for his violent behaviour of headbutting a player of the opposing team in the second semi-final match of the Malaysia Cup between JDT and Terengganu FC at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on November 26.

Thus, the former captain of the national squad was given a three-match suspension with the Malaysia Cup 2021 final between Kuala Lumpur City FC and JDT on November 30 being the first suspension.

“The remaining two-match suspension imposed on this player is effective immediately on this player’s first and second official matches in the M-League (Super League/Premier League/Charity Shield/FA Cup/Malaysia Cup/Challenge Cup) that follows.

“... either in the same season or next season (excluding friendly matches and competitions not organised by FAM, MFL (Malaysian Football League) and AFL (Amateur Football League) regardless of which team this player is registered with,” said Baljit.

He said Safiq was also given a stern warning and faces a heavier punishment if he repeated the same offence, but the punishment imposed on him could be appealed. – Bernama, December 31, 2021.