KUCHING: Harimau Malaya chief executive officer, Rob Friend, expressed disappointment with the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) despite the mitigation of the sanctions imposed on the players.
He said the association believed there were strong grounds for a different outcome based on the arguments presented, while maintaining that the players had conducted themselves with professionalism and integrity throughout the process.
Friend also described the sanctions as excessive and disproportionate compared with previous cases involving similar circumstances, where full suspensions from football activities were not imposed.
He added that the situation had been a difficult period for the players and their respective clubs, which had continued to support them despite having no involvement in the underlying issues.
Friend stressed that the focus now shifts to backing the players and preparing for Malaysia’s upcoming match against Vietnam national football team.
“Our responsibility now is to stand firmly behind the players, focus on the upcoming match against Vietnam, and ensure that Malaysian football emerges stronger and more united from this experience,” he said.
