The Arena Champion League organisers have announced the immediate disqualification of Budiman FC, an amateur football club based in Johor, following a series of severe disciplinary breaches.
This decision also cancels the 3rd and 4th place match between Budiman FC and Pantherz FC, initially scheduled as part of the league.
The organisers provided a detailed explanation for their decision, citing the following incidents as key factors:
1. Violent Conduct in Group Stage:
• Player Involved: Mohd Shahrul Bin Ramli, 35 years old.
• Incident Details: In the Group B match against Fusion City 2 FC on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Shahrul assaulted an opponent, Mohamad Azirul Bin Abdullah, 21, causing a chest injury.
• Action Taken: Shahrul was suspended for two matches, but the violent act sparked widespread condemnation, tarnishing the sport’s image.
2. Semi-Final Incident:
• Player Involved: Mohamad Aikal Bin Saleh, 27 years old.
• Incident Details: During the semi-final against AMNA FC on December 24, 2024, Aikal deliberately punched an opponent, Muhammad Nor Hakim Bin Ahmad, 21, causing minor injuries. He was shown a red card by the referee.
3. Negative Impact on the Sport’s Reputation:
• The violent incidents drew national criticism, with social media erupting in outrage, further damaging the reputation of the league and Malaysian football.
4. Excessive Indiscipline in Matches:
• In the semi-final, Budiman FC accumulated five yellow cards and one red card, compared to AMNA FC’s single yellow card, reflecting a clear lack of control over the team’s emotions and conduct.
Consequences and Final Decision
• Immediate Disqualification: Budiman FC has been disqualified from the Arena Champion League 2024.
• Match Cancellation: The 3rd and 4th place playoff between Budiman FC and Pantherz FC has been canceled.
• Prize Redistribution: The 3rd place prize will now be awarded to the 4th place team in the league standings.
• Finality of Decision: The organisers stated that no appeals or explanations would be entertained, emphasizing that the decision is final.
The organisers expressed disappointment over the repeated misconduct by Budiman FC and the negative impact on the sport. They issued a strong reminder to all participating teams about the importance of adhering to the rules and upholding the values of fair play.
“The Arena Champion League is committed to fostering sportsmanship and respect in football. The actions of Budiman FC have violated these principles and tarnished the reputation of the league. We hope this serves as a lesson for all teams to uphold the integrity of the sport.”
Despite the disqualification, the organisers thanked Budiman FC for their earlier participation in the 2024 competition and expressed hope for their improved conduct in future tournaments.
This incident highlights the organisers’ firm stance on discipline and their commitment to maintaining the league’s credibility and the spirit of fair competition.
Credit Photo : MBTV
