FA Cup semifinal between Pahang and Johor abandoned

The FA Cup second leg semifinal between Pahang and Johor Darul Takzim was abandoned due to crowd trouble at the Darul Makmur Stadium, here, on Tuesday.

The announcement of the cancellation was made by match commissioner Datuk Ahmad Fuad Daud who is also the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) assistant secretary at 10.30pm, after consultation with the match officials.

He said 40,000 fans had packed into the 35,000 capacity stadium, forcing the match to be abandoned due to safety reasons.

Ahmad Fuad said initial investigations found two gates in the stadium were broken down by fans to gain entry.

"Only 32,000 tickets were sold but the number of fans inside the stadium was much more, resulting in many not having a place to sit or stand...we will also not hesitate to take action against both teams for failing to control their fans," he said.

Ahmad Fuad said the FAM Competition Committee chaired by FAM vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin would convene a meeting to decide on the venue for the match, by next week.

Due to the chaotic situation, FAM president and the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah had to go down to the track area of the pitch to calm down the fans and clear the area to allow the match to go on, because the fans who did not have places to sit on the terraces, had spilled over into the field.

A number of fans were also reported to be injured by fireworks and mineral water bottles thrown at them.

In the first leg held at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin last Saturday, Johor DT scored a slim 1-0 victory.

The winner will meet Kelantan who had earlier beaten Terengganu 6-5 on aggregate to advance to the final. The FA Cup is scheduled on June 29 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.