- Details
- Published on Monday, 03 February 2014 14:53
A TOUCHLINE argument followed by a confrontation in the tunnel at half-time at Larkin Stadium turned ugly as T-Team players feared for their safety and did not want to continue Saturday's FA Cup second round match with Darul Ta'zim.
T-Team alleged a high-ranking Johor FA (JFA) official had punched their striker Evaldo Conçalves in the tunnel while fitness instructor Stefano Impagliazzo was kicked in the groin by another individual.
FA of Malaysia general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin said the allegation would be investigated and appropriate action taken if proven true.
The incident was witnessed by T-Team assistant coach Azlan Johar and several other players and officials.
The shaken-up Concalves suffered a bloody nose and was too traumatised to continue the match while his teammates, fearing for their safety, also decided against continuing the match.
Darul Ta'zim were leading 2-1 courtesy of a brace from Argentine Luciano Figueroa before the match was abandoned. T-Team replied through Marzuki Yusoff.
T-Team's dressing room was also condoned off by enforcement officers and they were later escorted to their bus out of Johor.
Astro Arena footage showed Darul Ta'zim coach Cesar Ferrando Jimenez and striker Pablo Aimar involved in an argument with Concalves and Impagliazzo at half-time and also the alleged incident in the tunnel.
It is learnt that they were arguing about Darul Ta'zim striker Amri Yahyah's handball during the match.
Conçalves was seen at the state police headquarters in Kuala Terengganu yesterday but did not want to comment on the incident.T-Team captain Marzuki said everyone was traumatised and also feared for their safety.
"We told our coach (Azraai Khor) in the dressing room that it would be a huge risk to play the second half and he agreed."We felt the stadium security could not guarantee our safety. Nobody had wanted to continue with the match," said Marzuki yesterday.T-Team chief executive officer Ab Rasid Jusoh hopes the FA of Malaysia (FAM) will take appropriate action.
"We are upset and hopefully FAM will investigate thoroughly. It shouldn't have happened but security was compromised. We lodged a complaint with the match commissioner before leaving the stadium yesterday (Saturday) and will also do so with FAM," said Ab Rasid.Hamidin said the matter would be investigated without compromise.
"We are waiting for reports from the match commissioner, referee and general coordinator. Yes, I am aware about the incident from my phone conversations with concerned parties but I can't comment until I've read the reports."
Local competitions committee chairman Datuk Seri Affendi Hamzah will meet Darul Ta'zim and T-Team representatives along with the match officials at Wisma FAM on Thursday.
"We have to decide whether the match should be rescheduled. If we find evidence of misconduct and security breach, the matter will be handed to the disciplinary board for investigation.
"We will not compromise and stern action will be taken against concerned parties without prejudice," said Hamidin.
Efforts to get Johor FA officials to comment proved futile as their phones were switched off.
-NST
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