KUALA LUMPUR – With less than four days to go until kick-off, Selangor FC may opt to withdraw from Friday’s Charity Shield against Johor Darul Ta’zim at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri.
Speaking to Scoop, Selangor’s technical committee chairman, Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar, disclosed that the club were currently conducting a comprehensive evaluation, particularly focusing on safety measures, following an acid attack on one of their players, Faisal Halim, yesterday.
Selangor earned their place in this season’s Charity Shield after finishing as runners-up in the Super League last season.
The Charity Shield scheduled for this Friday will serve as the inaugural match for the 2024/2025 Super League season.
“It’s challenging for me to provide insights on the current situation, particularly regarding our participation in the Charity Shield, as I’m uncertain whether we’ll send the team to Johor.
“I need to engage in discussions with the players because everyone needs to understand that when such incidents occur, the psychological impact extends to all players and officials in the team.
“The trauma isn’t limited to Faisal Halim alone, his family, including his children, are affected, as are the other players on the team.
“As for our decision regarding the Charity Shield, it’s still pending. We’ll announce our stance soon, alongside any updates from the Malaysian Football League,” said Shahril.
Should Selangor decide against participating in Friday’s match, they risk missing out on both the chance to clinch the trophy and accrue valuable points, as the Charity Shield is also the Super League opener.
The assault on Faisal has elicited widespread condemnation from various quarters, including Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, underscoring the severity of violence in Malaysian football.
Meanwhile, Shahril confirmed that Faisal underwent surgery but remained in critical condition, undergoing close monitoring in the intensive care unit for a week. – May 6, 2024