FIFA penalises FAM for World Cup qualifier chaos

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has been penalised by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for the crowd chaos that led to the abandonment of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ qualifying match between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia on Sept 8.

In a media statement posted on its website today, the world’s football governing body said the next home match for Malaysia’s ‘A’ representative team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying competition will be played without spectators, which is the Malaysia vs UAE match on Nov 17.

The statement said, the decision came after taking into account "all the circumstances of the matter, in particular, the match officials’ reports, FAM's positions as well as the relevant videos and pictures, and due to the seriousness of the incidents..."

The statement said, the committee also decided to impose a fine of 40,000 Swiss Franc (about RM180,000) and issue FAM with a warning.

As for the Sept 8 match, the committee had decided that the match be declared to be lost by forfeit by Malaysia (0-3), the statement added.

"FAM was found to be liable for the supporters’ behaviour and, in particular, for breaching art. 6 par. 5 of the Regulations of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, art. 56, art. 65, 67 par. 1 and art. 67 par. 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code as well as art. 4 par. 2, art. 29 par. 1 lit. b) and art. 2 of Annexe C of the FIFA Stadium and Safety Regulations.

"Disciplinary proceedings had been opened after several incidents, including smoke bombs and flares, occurred inside Shah Alam Stadium, which led to the abandonment of the match in the 88th minute," the statement said.

It added that FAM had been notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's decision today.