JOHOR BARU: Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) want suspended Terengganu coach Peter Butler (pic) to appeal his six-month suspension and subsequent termination of his contract as they feel the punishment is too harsh.

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad said they would look into the matter if Butler filed a complaint with the national body.

“As far as I’m concerned, one of the coach’s duties is to instill discipline and ensure that the players follow the rules,” he said, after launching the 2012 Sultan of Johor Cup Under-21 international hockey tournament here yesterday.

Tengku Abdullah, who is also the Malaysian Hockey Council (MHC) president, said he agreed with Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, who had expressed shock and dismay over the light punishment meted out to the three errant players and the severe penalty slapped on Butler.

He said the Terengganu FA must come up with a proper explanation for their decision to hand Butler a six-month suspension and RM4,000 fine and using that to terminate his contract while the three players were let of with a warning and RM1,000 fine each for their acts of indiscipline.

Butler had been penalised for speaking out against the players without the approval of the team management.

“The problem is that the state FAs tend to do things without considering the implications on the team, the fans and the image of football in the country,” said Tengku Abdullah.

“This also applies to FAM where we must find proper solutions to any problems without compromising our integrity and credibility.”
On another matter, Tengku Abdullah said FAM would stick to the decision to allow only two foreign players per team next season.

“Teams who want to have more than two imports must see if they can really afford it as FAM do not want issues such as unpaid salaries to be highlighted again.

“Whatever it is, teams will only be allowed to register two foreign players as we want a level playing field. We also don’t want the local players to lose out.”

- The Sunday Star