THE Football Association of Penang (FAP) will be filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision by world soccer governing body FIFA which ordered a six-point deduction from Penang’s 2019 Malaysia Premier League season, thus, denying the team of a promotion to the Super League.
Penang which successfully ended their season in third place with 30 points, dropped to seventh with 24 points after the deduction.
FAP president Dr Amar Pritpal Abdullah said the association would be appointing a lawyer and file an appeal with CAS.
“We have appealed to FIFA via FAM three times, but our appeals were rejected.
“I am quite upset with the decision by FIFA. It is not encouraging the players at all. In fact, the decision is ‘pulling the players down’.
“You can fine us (for the late payment) but why penalised us six points?” Dr Amar told a press conference in Komtar today.
It was reported that The Panthers were deducted six points by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) following the decision by FIFA for failing to meet the 30-day deadline in settling the claims of former player Reinaldo Lobo. It was reported that Lobo played for Penang for three seasons, from 2015 to 2017.
Dr Amar said FAP paid Lobo as per the contract.
“FAP referred to the rate stated in the player’s contract. According to the contract, it was one US dollar to RM4.10 but FIFA referred to the current exchange rate at the point.
“The difference in currency conversion rate incurred an amount of over US $4,400. FAP was unable to meet the deadline because of the confusion over the currency conversion rate and the process of paying the remaining sum.
“Eventually, we paid everything including the shortfall,” he said, adding that the claims were ‘old claims’ before the new management took over.
Dr Amar said it would probably take one to two months to obtain a decision from CAS.
Penang Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said FAP had made every effort to meet the deadline set by FIFA to settle the payment with the player concerned.
“FAP has invested a lot of time, effort and money in the team and would like to be given a chance to play in the Super League.
“We qualify for the 2020 Malaysia Super League but due to the order from FIFA to deduct six points from Penang, which was announced by FAM on July 21, we are now to stay in the 2020 Malaysia Premier League.
“The Penang government supports the decision made by FAP to file an appeal with CAS and we hope to get a good and fair decision,” Soon said.
Soon applauded the players, coaches and officials for their effort and thanked the fans for their continuous support.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud