KUALA LUMPUR: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have suspended referee Zulkarnain Zakaria for wrongly awarding two penalties during Sabah's 5-2 win against Penang in the Super League on Friday.
The FAM Referee Performance Evaluation Committee held a meeting yesterday during which they reviewed footage from the game as well as the report produced by the referee assessor assigned to the match which was played in Likas.
FAM secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman said the national body views the matter seriously.
"The committee unanimously found that the referee, Zulkarnain Zakaria, had erred in his interpretation of two incidents - awarding penalties to Sabah FC in the 41st and 90th+9th minutes," said Azman in a statement released by FAM today.
"Subsequently, the committee has made the decision to suspend Zulkarnain from refereeing any 2023 M-League matches with immediate effect.
"The committee will not hesitate to take stern action against any referee who does not meet the required standards in upcoming M-League matches."
Azman also warned referees that they must maintain an optimum level of performance and hold a holistic understanding of the game.