Jordan's Yazan hopes lifetime ban from playing in Malaysia will be lifted

The 27-year-old centreback, who helped Jordan stun Malaysia 4-0 in their 2023 Asian Cup Group E opener at the Al Janoub Stadium here last night, hopes that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will lift the lifetime ban imposed on him.

He said he does not hold a grudge against Malaysia and hopes that the Harimau Malaya can bounce back in the remaining games against Bahrain and two-time champions South Korea.

"Honestly, what happened was very hard for me. After the game against Terengganu FC, the next three months were very hard, the hardest moment in my life as I didn't play with the national team and missed at least five international caps.

"I'm really sad about the ban. I hope, in the future, they (FAM) can give me another chance to play in Malaysia again because I love all Malaysian fans, especially Selangor fans," he said when met after last night's match here.

Yazan, who now plays for Iraqi club Al Shorta, was handed a lifetime ban from all football activities in Malaysia for kicking and spitting at the referee for showing him a red card during their Malaysia Cup quarter-final, return leg match against Terengganu at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Stadium on Sept 24 last year.

"I know I did wrong... when I saw the video after the game I said that's not me... I hope in the future everything will be okay," he added.

-- BERNAMA