KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor FC have been fined a total US$24,500 (RM110,286) by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for an offensive fan banner, delaying the start of the second half, and failing to maintain law and order at their home stadium.
The incidents occurred during Selangor's 2-1 win over South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in an Asian Champions League 2 (ACL2) match on Oct 23, 2024, at the MBPJ Stadium.
The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee found the Red Giants guilty of violating three articles under the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code and the AFC Competition Operations Manual.
"Spectators associated with the Defendant (Selangor) displayed a large banner containing numerous insulting, religious, and/or political messages and/or images (the 'Banner').
"The Defendant failed to: (i) comply with and implement existing safety rules and take every precaution required by circumstances before and during the match, and (ii) ensure law and order in the stadium and its immediate surroundings.
"This failure stemmed from the Defendant's inability to monitor compliance with AFC's approval, allowing spectators to bring the Banner into the stadium and display it.
"Additionally, the Defendant's representatives caused a three-minute and 25-second delay to the start of the second half," the AFC said today in a statement.
Meanwhile Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) player Natxo Insa was fined US$5,000 by AFC for his comments on Nov 26, 2024 after his team's 1-0 loss to Shandong Taishan in an Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) match at the Jinan Olympic Sports Centre.
"The Defendant (Insa) participated in a flash interview, made statements questioning the impartiality and/or integrity of the referees, and acted in an aggressive manner," said AFC.
JDT were also fined US$3,750 for team misconduct during the Shandong clash. Additionally, they were fined US$1,500 for delaying the start of the second half by one minute and 29 seconds during their match against Buriram United.
JDT players Park Jun Heong and Murilo Henrique were each fined US$2,000 for serious infringements. Jun Heong also received a two-match suspension while Henrique received a one-match suspension.
Meanwhile, Sabah FA team manager Arziz Afizy Rumsani was handed a four-match suspension and fined US$5,000 for bringing the game into disrepute.
"The Defendant (Arziz) used abusive and/or insulting language towards the referees," the AFC stated.