KUALA LUMPUR – Former Selangor FC footballers have commended the club’s decision to terminate Yazan Al-Arab’s contract following his assault on referee Hasrol Amir after the Malaysia Cup quarter-final second leg against Terengganu last week.
The Red Giants were eliminated after losing 3-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the second leg.
Speaking to Scoop, former Selangor and national team captain Zainal Abidin Hassan believes that the club’s decision will serve as a lesson for all other players in the club, making them aware that their playing careers will be in jeopardy if they attempt to emulate such actions in the future.
“What the player did was unacceptable, and Selangor has made the right decision to terminate his contract.
“As footballers, we are allowed to have confrontations with the referee, but we should always know our limits.
“It’s disheartening to see the mentality of young footballers turning this way. Nowadays, footballers are becoming too emotional and end up making regrettable decisions on the pitch.
“Players like Yazan are a disgrace to the club and will set a bad example for all the young footballers in Selangor.
“Selangor’s decision is a lesson for all the players in the club to play the game according to the rules,” said Zainal.
Zainal, who has won four Malaysia Cups with the Red Giants (1981, 1982, 1986 and 1997), also criticised the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for their silence on the matter, believing that the footballing body should have been the first to react to such an incident.
“I wonder why FAM is staying silent on this matter, as I have yet to see any statement from their side or from the Malaysian Football League (MFL).
“Players like Yazan should be banned entirely from playing for any clubs in Malaysia, and FAM should implement better measures to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” Zainal added.
Meanwhile, former Selangor striker Surendran Rasiah, who played for the club between 2008 and 2012, echoed a similar sentiment, saying that the club has always prioritised protecting its image and would not tolerate such actions.
“During my time at Selangor, the club always emphasised on discipline and respect for everyone through our actions.
“Players could be fined if found guilty of tarnishing the club’s reputation.
“I’m pleased the club has expelled Yazan, as having an immoral player like him would undoubtedly damage the club’s image in the years to come,” said Surendran.
Selangor FC, in a statement yesterday, explained that the termination was carried out after the club conducted a disciplinary procedure related to the incident.
The Jordanian centre-back, who joined the club in December 2021, made a total of 35 appearances for the club and scored 3 goals. – October 5, 2023
