The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have come up with more evidence of match-fixing in the M-League and are expected to come down hard on the culprits soon.
Disciplinary Committee chairman Datuk Taufik Tan Sri Abdul Razak said they were in the midst of investigating several allegations of corruption and will continue their crackdown on offenders.
Last week, former Negri Sembilan President’s Cup coach Yusarman Yusof was slapped with a life ban while 11 Negri President’s Cup Under-20 team players were suspended for between one and five years for fixing the outcome of the match against Penang SDM Navy on April 21 last year.
Officials and players from the Penang SDM Navy, Muar MC and the 2010 T-Team President Cup squads who are being investigated have been suspended until they appear before the committee.
Yusarman was banned for life from all football activities and can only appeal for a reprieve after 10 years. The seven players suspended for five years can appeal after a year while the four players banned for a year must serve their time.
Taufik justified FAM’s decision to come down hard on the fixers saying they had been thoroughly investigated.
“The disciplinary committee charged Yusarman for match-fixing and not bribery. The committee have enough evidence against him,” said Taufik.
“The punishment was meted out based on FAM’s codes and rules. If we wait for the court case to be settled, it would take some time and we can’t let this problem continue.”
Negri President’s Cup team manager Bahari Abdul Rahman and NSFA general secretary Datuk Abdul Halim Latif lodged a police report on May 24 last year as they were suspicious of the team’s performances and results in the competition.
“The players should have been banned for life too but they were let off with a lighter punishment because they are all very young and easily influenced. We hope they learn from this experience,” said Taufik.
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