Rajagobal freed of charge

NO CASE: Evidence supports coach's claim of not having criticised FAM

THE FA of Malaysia's (FAM) disciplinary board (DB) yesterday opted against taking any action against coach K. Rajagobal who was found not to have made any statement that could be deemed as criticising the national body or its policies.

The DB vi
ewed video evidence and was satisfied that Rajagobal's comments, made after Malaysia were beaten 4-1 by Saudi Arabia in a friendly last month, were not critical of FAM's policy on foreign players featuring in the M-League.

DB chairman Datuk Taufek Abd Razak said there was no case against Rajagobal as the video recording of the press conference on Mar 17, during which the latter had allegedly remarked that the presence of foreigners had denied local players exposure in the M-League, cleared him.

Taufek said FAM had also sought the assistance of several journalists who confirmed that Rajagobal had not made any comment criticising the league.

FAM had issued Rajagobal a showcause letter after misconstruing his statement as questioning FAM policy matters. The coach had pleaded not guilty.

"The DB has decided that there is no case against Rajagobal. We are satisfied with his statement during the meeting and we also have the video to prove that he didn't criticise the league or FAM's policy on import players," said Taufek.

"We have also checked with several journalists who were present during the press conference on March 17, who also confirmed he didn't make such comments. He may have been misquoted.

"We have advised him to be cautious with his statements and not touch on FAM's policy matters in future. He can give post-match press conferences on the team's performance as Fifa requires coaches to do so."

Rajagobal abstained from making any comment as he wants the issue to be laid to rest after the explanation from Taufek.

Rajagobal could have been slapped with a six-month suspension and fined RM8,000 if he had been found guilty but he can now focus on Malaysia's Asian Cup qualifying matches.

Meanwhile, Selangor players Shukor Jusoh and Afiq Azmi each received two-match suspensions for their roles in the FA Cup first round fracas against Armed Forces on Jan 25.

Shukor, who refused to leave the pitch for 90 seconds, also received a RM2,000 fine while Afiq received a further RM1,000 penalty for violent conduct.

The DB's decisions brought the issue to a delayed end as the Armed Forces players were punished much earlier and are already serving their suspensions.