Fifa raps Malaysia for crowd trouble
LAUSANNE • World governing body Fifa yesterday announced sanctions against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for the crowd trouble that wrecked a World Cup qualifier against Saudia Arabia last month.
Militant fans angry at a 0-10 humiliation in a previous match to the United Arab Emirates fired flares billowing orange smoke at Shah Alam Stadium as Malaysia trailed the Saudis 1-2 in the final minutes of the tie.
Fifa's Disciplinary Committee said investigation showed FAM was "liable for the spectators' behaviour".
As a result, Malaysia's next home match - a World Cup qualifier against the UAE on Nov 17 - will be played behind closed doors. FAM has to pay a 40,000 Swiss francs (S$59,000) fine. The Saudi tie was also declared a 0-3 defeat for Malaysia.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Hyundai calls for swift Fifa reforms
SEOUL • South Korea's Fifa sponsor Hyundai Motor yesterday called for "prompt and transparent" reforms of world football's governing body without commenting directly on its scandal-tainted chief.
Last week, major sponsors, including Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Visa and Budweiser called for Sepp Blatter's immediate resignation, after Swiss prosecutors opened a criminal investigation against the 79-year-old over mismanagement.
But Blatter has remained defiant.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Milan coach refuses to quit after rout
MILAN • Sinisa Mihajlovic said he expects to "give explanations" to AC Milan chief Silvio Berlusconi but the football coach said he "won't resign" after a 4-0 mauling by Napoli on Sunday prompted fans to stage protests at the San Siro.
Elsewhere, Serie A champions Juventus outclassed Bologna 3-1 to earn their first home win of a stuttering campaign.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
