KUALA LUMPUR — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has rested the match referee and video assistant referee (VAR) official assigned to last Sunday’s Super League match between Perak FC and JDT in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
FAM deputy president Datuk S. Sivasundaram stated that the Referee Performance Evaluation Committee reviewed two key incidents during the match: a penalty call in the 38th minute and a scuffle in the 84th minute involving JDT’s Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi and Perak’s Tommy Mawat Bada.
According to the FAM Referees Committee chairman, their analysis, guided by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Laws of the Game, determined that the decisions of both the match referee and the VAR official were inaccurate.
“In this regard, the FAM Referees Committee has decided to rest the referee and VAR officials involved in two matches from any refereeing duties in the Professional League and Amateur League.
“Additionally, they will also be referred to the rehabilitation and enhancement phase before being given refereeing duties,” he said in a statement today.
During the match at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, tensions flared when Tommy Mawat attempted to block Arif Aiman’s run.
As teammates and referee Razlan Joffri Ali intervened, Tommy was seen choking Arif, who then appeared to retaliate with a punch to Tommy’s head.
Despite the altercation, neither player faced a VAR review, and both received only yellow cards.
The game ultimately ended with JDT defeating Perak FC 5-0.
Sivasundaram emphasised that FAM takes referee performance seriously, including the effectiveness of VAR officials, and will not tolerate lapses in quality. He also urged players to control their emotions on the field.
Separately, FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman announced that FAM’s general secretariat had issued formal charges to both clubs regarding the altercation between Arif Aiman and Tommy Mawat, with documents sent yesterday. — November 15, 2024