PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has vowed to come down hard on those involved in match fixing in the 2018 Malaysia Super League.
He repeated the warning three times at the launch of the police's football team, popularly known as the Cops, tonight.
"Players, coaches, managers and even referees will not be spared from the full brunt of the law.
"This is Zahid Hamidi's promise and it is not merely a promise. This is a promise that I will definitely act upon," he said to a loud applause from the floor.
In the meantime, Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, called on the Commercial Crime Investigation Department to act swiftly on those who were involved in match fixing.
"Despite being paid with high salaries and enjoying benefits, we know they are those in the football industry who have become too greedy.
"Their days are numbered and they (those involved in match fixing) will not get away. This is my promise," said the deputy prime minister.
At the function, Zahid also announced incentives for the Cops should they emerge as champion in the premier league.
"If the Cops become the champion, I will give the team a bonus of RM500,000.
"If the team secure second place, a bonus of RM250,000 will be given," he said.
For the Cops' head coach Zulhamizan Zakaria, Zahid said, he would receive a bonus worth RM100,000 should he steered the Cops to becoming champion.
But, the coach would not get anything if the Cops secured only second place, he added.
"So Zulhamizan, please do not waste this opportunity," he told the head coach.
The deputy prime minister had also challenged the Cops to emerge the best fairplay team; be the 2018 premier league champion, and qualify for the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup finals.
"I have been told that the Cops' management has targetted to secure at least one championship title for this year and this is a benchmark that must be taken seriously, said Zahid.
Zahid said he believed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim, who is also police's football team president, would attend all the Cops' matches and even its trainings as a show of support.
Later, the Cops players went up to the stage to pledge their full commitment to play the game at their level best.