AFC fined Malaysian football $13,125, with JDT receiving the highest amount.
In a single session, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee fined a total of US$13,125 to four Malaysian football organizations/individuals; JDT and Kelana United's fitness coach received a US$5,000 fine.
The AFC (Asian Football Confederation) ruled to fine Malaysian football organizations and individuals a total of US$13,125 in a single session of its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Kelana United's fitness coach each received the highest fine of US$5,000, while Selangor and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) were penalized for violating match time regulations.
Specific penalties
JDT was fined US$5,000 for failing to ensure the stadium was clean at its official training ground before their Asian Club Championship (ACLE) match against Machida Zelvia. This amount accounts for 38% of the total fines related to Malaysia in the ruling.
Selangor has been fined US$1,250 after the AFC confirmed they delayed the start of the second half by 80 seconds in their Asian Club Championship (ACL2) match against Persib Bandung on October 23. This is the second countdown violation recorded by the AFC against Selangor.
FAM was fined US$1,875 for a 150-second delay in Malaysia's Asian Cup qualifying match against Laos on October 14. This also marks the second of FAM's repeated violations.
The Kelana United case stands out in terms of conduct: fitness coach Mohd Zahidibudiman Ibrahim was fined $5,000 for conduct that the AFC deemed to have undermined the prestige of the match and violated professional ethics regulations.
Summary of penalties
| Organization/Individual | Reason | Tournament/Match | Time | Penalty amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) | The official training ground is not guaranteed to be clean. | ACLE, before the match against Machida Zelvia | Before the match | 5,000 US dollars |
| Selangor | 80-second delay at the start of the second half (second offense) | ACL2, against Persib Bandung | October 23 | 1,250 US dollars |
| Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) | 150-second delay (second violation within the time limit) | Asian Cup Qualifiers, Malaysia vs Laos | October 14th | 1,875 US dollars |
| Mohd Zahidibudiman Ibrahim (Kelana United) | The behavior discredited the match and violated the code of conduct. | Not mentioned in the source. | — | 5,000 US dollars |
Operational perspective: Time discipline and competition day standards
Both Selangor and FAM's violations relate to time management – a fundamental element in the AFC's competition process. Being flagged as repeat offenders shows that the disciplinary issue is not just an isolated incident but an operational gap that needs to be addressed.
For JDT, the $5,000 fine for failing to meet hygiene standards at their official training ground raises questions about the level of compliance at a club that promotes itself as the regional benchmark. Meanwhile, the Kelana United case highlights the ethical aspect of the profession, where the behavior of coaching staff members can directly impact the prestige of the match.
Digital Highlight
- Total fines: US$13,125 in a meeting of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.
- Maximum fine: US$5,000 (JDT; Kelana United fitness coach).
- Time violations: Selangor was 80 seconds late at the start of the second half (ACL2, October 23); FAM was 150 seconds late (Asian Cup qualifiers, October 14).
- JDT accounted for 38% of the total fines related to Malaysia in this ruling.
Impact
The consecutive penalties serve as a strong reminder of the importance of discipline on competition day at the continental level. Relevant organizations need to tighten time coordination, improve facility operation standards, and adhere to ethical rules to prevent recurrence and minimize financial and reputational losses.
