FAM disciplinary committee chairman Baljit Singh Sidhu said the sentences were decided by the committee yesterday in its fifth meeting for the 2021-2025 term at Wisma FAM.
Rezal was given a two-month suspension from engaging in any football activities including administrative activities, football sports management and related activities and fined RM10,000.
It stems from a statement the coach, a former national midfielder, made during an interview on issues related to FAM without permission, which could have a negative impact on the national body’s good name and reputation.
Rezal was also found to have criticised the administration of FAM affairs involving aspects of refereeing or the management of the M-League during the Malaysia Cup match between Kelantan FC and Sabah FC on Sept 30 at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu.
“However, the committee decided to adopt Article 35 of the FAM Disciplinary Code where this official is suspended for the first month only and the remaining one month is suspended subject to the good conduct of the official,” said Baljit in a statement today.
According to the statement, the suspension imposed on Rezal is the first one-month from Dec 30, 2021 to Jan 29, 2022 and the second one-month suspension from Jan 30 to Feb 28, subject to good conduct.
Meanwhile, Safiq was found to have violated Article 50.1 (d) of the FAM Disciplinary Code for headbutting an opposition player in the second semifinal match of the Malaysia Cup against Terengganu FC at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Nov 26.
The former national captain was given a three-match suspension with the Malaysia Cup 2021 final against Kuala Lumpur City FC on Nov 30 being the first suspension.
“The remaining two-match suspension is effective immediately on this player’s first and second official matches in the M-League (Super League/ Premier League/ Charity Shield/ FA Cup/ Malaysia Cup/ Challenge Cup ) that follows.”
Baljit said Safiq was also given a stern warning and faced a heavier punishment if he repeated the offence, but the punishment imposed on him could be appealed.