Racism: Up to FAM to act

TERENGGANU Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is far from happy with LionsXII supporters who hurled racist remarks at Francis Doe during the FA Cup quarter-final second-leg tie at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Tuesday.

   Doe, who was called several  derogatory names by a group of spectators at the stadium, is still bitter, sad, and angry.

   The 26-year-old Liberian striker, who did not expect racism to rear its ugly head in this part of the world, said the words hurt and made it impossible for him to concentrate on the game which ended scoreless.

   Both Ahmad and Doe said something should be done to prevent  such an incident from happening again but according to Terengganu FA president Datuk Che Mat Jusoh, it is up to the FA of Malaysia to seek remedial actions.

    Che Mat, who is also Terengganu team manager, said the state association does not need to lodge a formal complaint with  FAM since the FA Cup tie fell under the jurisdiction of the national  body.

   "It is true that the match was played in Singapore but since they are playing in the Malaysian league, they are subjected to FAM's rules and regulations.

   "We are just hoping for the best as next week, we will be at Jalan Besar Stadium again to take on Tampines Rovers in the AFC Cup," he said.

   One person who is not looking forward to returning to Singapore is Doe as he fears more racist attacks.

   "I would be lying if I say that I am not affected by the whole incident but as a professional footballer, I have a job to do and I plan to do it to the best of my ability."

    Checks with the FAM revealed a letter had been sent to the Singapore FA advising the association to prevent a repeat of the incident. By Zainuddin Muhammad

Read more: NST