KUALA LUMPUR: Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli felt that the Malaysian Football League (MFL) should have made the right call in dealing with the Charity Shield match.
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, expressed his disappointment over MFL's rejection of Selangor FC's request to postpone their Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium today in a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page.
Sultan Sharafuddin has consented to Selangor FC's decision to withdraw from the Charity Shield match.
The Sultan of Selangor, who is also the patron of Selangor FC, said they are ready to face any action following their decision to withdraw from the match.
Pekan said the MFL should review its decision to not postpone the match.
"I feel MFL needs to quickly review their decision after the Sultan of Selangor expressed his disappointment.
"It's not too late to postpone this game. The Sultan of Selangor is disappointed, and let's not make him angry," said Pekan.
On Tuesday, Selangor FC made an official application to MFL to reschedule the Charity Shield based on safety concerns following a series of criminal incidents and threats against several players and team officials within 72 hours.
The traumatic incidents began with Terengganu's Akhyar Rashid being beaten up and robbed in Kuala Terengganu on Sunday, Selangor's Faisal Halim suffering severe injuries after being splashed with acid in Damansara on Monday and JDT's Safiq Rahim's car's rear windscreen smashed in Johor Baru on Tuesday.
However, on Wednesday, MFL issued a statement saying the Charity Shield would proceed as planned, while assuring fans and players that security would be beefed up to prevent any untoward incidents.
But this led to Selangor FC issuing a statement later in the day that they would withdraw from the match.
This has led to MFL awarding a "walkover" win to JDT yesterday following Selangor's withdrawal with a 3-0 scoreline, granting the Southern Tigers their first three points in the Super League.
Pekan, who is also the Ministry of Higher Education Sports Section Division deputy secretary, said Selangor FC had valid reasons to ask for the match's postponement.
He said that despite MFL's safety assurance, it is not a conducive situation for Selangor to play in the Charity Shield.
"Surely some see Selangor's withdrawal from the Charity Shield as an unjustified act. It seems to lack sportsmanship and belief in the high level of safety promised by the MFL.
"But for me, there's justification in Selangor's decision because the situation has not yet calmed down following the unfortunate incident involving Faisal Halim.
"Emotions are still running high and disappointment lingers. Mentally, Selangor players are also disturbed. Selangor supporters will also not attend the match, so the Charity Shield has lost its appeal.
"Selangor supporters are showing solidarity with Faisal... they are willing to lose three points and the Charity Shield rather than play on with ill feelings and uncertainty."
