Malaysia's coach fined for attack on S'pore player
Malaysia's coach fined for attack on S'pore player
The Straits Times, ANN/Singapore
Malaysia's national soccer coach Bertalan Bicskei has been fined a record RM50,000 (US$13,159) for assaulting a Singapore player in Malaysia's 2-1 loss to the Lions on June 8.
The Hungarian shocked fans at Penang City Stadium when he ran onto the pitch in the 82nd minute and grabbed Singapore defender Razaleigh Khalik by the neck.
The incident occurred after Razaleigh fouled Malaysia's Zainuddin Ariffin.
Defending his action during a Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) disciplinary board hearing, he said he had acted to protect his players.
"I did that when I saw my players not getting any protection from the referee or the linesman, who was just meters away from the incident," Bicskei told The Star after Malaysia were beaten 1-2.
But the board dismissed his defense.
The previous highest fine was RM30,000 handed out to Sarawak more than a decade ago for not competing in a tournament.
FAM general secretary Ibrahim Saad told The Straits Times: "Bicskei's defense was that he was only protecting his players, but the board cannot tolerate misbehavior of this sort, especially from the national coach."
Bicskei, a former Hungary national coach, did not dispute the match commissioner's report which, besides recording the attack on Razaleigh, also stated that he threw a water bottle onto the pitch in the 70th minute.
The coach, who is believed to be paid about US$10,000 (S$16,690) a month, declined comment after the hearing.
An FAM spokesman said the incident tarnished the image of the association. "He is a professional, experienced coach and should have shown more restraint."
Hired as a replacement for Englishman Allan Harris last October, the 61-year-old's contract is due to expire after November's South-East Asia Games.
But the FAM may be losing patience with him, especially after two consecutive losses to Singapore (2-0 and 2-1) in the annual Singapore-Malaysia Challenge.
The FAM's executive committee is expected to discuss his future when it meets on Friday.