SELANGOR FC have withdrawn from the Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing concerns over player safety.

The season opener was scheduled to be played tomorrow at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri.

Selangor’s decision comes following an acid attack on their player Faisal Halim on Sunday.

Two other top players, Akhyar Rashid and Safiq Rahim, were also attacked in separate incidents.

“After much deliberation and detailed discussions with parties involved following a series of criminal incidents and recent threats involving several players and team officials within just 72 hours, the club have reluctantly decided to not participate in the match,” Selangor FC said in a statement last night.

“Given the uncertainties surrounding the club at present, Selangor would like to emphasise that the team’s safety is of utmost importance and we take all forms of violence and threats seriously.

“We will not compromise on matters relating to the team’s safety. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” it added.

Malaysiakini reported that the Malaysian Football League had rejected Selangor’s request to postpone the match.

JDT CEO Alistair Edwards said his team were disappointed by Selangor’s withdrawal.

He added that the cops had assured the safety of the teams, players, and fans, and tripled police presence at the match to 1,500 members.

“We vehemently condemn the incident involving Faisal Halim and the alleged threats received by some members of 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 despite assurances from the police,” said Edwards.

He said JDT had been attacked in hostile environments in Pahang, Perak and Kelantan in the past but the team had continued to play under increased police presence.

“Selangor have never been attacked at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. The 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 a statement.

Selangor sultan ‘disappointed’

Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed disappointed with the Malaysian Football League’s decision to proceed with the game..

As the Selangor FC patron, Sultan Sharafuddin said it is right for the team not to join the tournament following several life-threatening incidents involving players and officials, Istana Alam Shah said in a statement today.

“His Majesty has proclaimed that the priority now is the lives and safety of players and not the winning of trophies,” it said.

“Aside from the issue of safety, the morale of the players is still affected following the acid attack on Faisal, the Selangor FC winger.

“His Majesty supports the eradication of violence in sports in any form and wants all parties to understand that the seriousness of the incident involving a player’s life is unprecedented, considering that it is so close to the date of the match.”

Selangor FC are ready to face action stemming from the decision pull out of the match, it said. – May 9, 2024.