Critic asks why controversial referee was chosen for Malaysia Cup final

New Straits Times

27-04-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: While there were top artistes and pyrotechnics in Saturday's Malaysia Cup final at Bukit Jalil, it was the referee who stole the show.
The match between Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Sri Pahang at the National Stadium was a tightly contested affair until some controversial decisions by the ref.
And football critic Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli was not amused.
Controversy first flared when JDT's Bergson da Silva saw his first-half goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
But the match's real flashpoint came when Sri Pahang's Sergio Aguero was sent off just before half-time after receiving a second yellow card for kicking Da Silva.
Referee Razlan Joffri Ali then awarded JDT a "soft penalty" in the second half, which Arif Aiman Hanapi converted.
It was a decision that sparked outrage among Sri Pahang supporters, who were already aggrieved by the earlier red cards and refereeing.
Pekan said: "I applaud Pahang, they played with a high fighting spirit despite knowing it would be tough to beat JDT. Before the red card, they matched JDT in every department.
"But the referee's performance? That's another story.
"I was shocked to see Razlan Joffri Ali appointed for the final. Normally, in a prestigious match, referees with strong, controversy-free records are given the honour. That's what happens in major tournaments like the World Cup. Why wasn't that standard applied here?" he asked.
Razlan was suspended last year for a previous incident involving Perak-JDT.
"You can see red flags in his refereeing history. Some of his decisions were questionable, especially the penalty.
"Fans aren't blind. They watch, they understand. The referee shouldn't be the 'angel of death' dictating outcomes with his whistle," he said.
Pekan pointed to the penalty decision as the match's turning point.
"Every game has one, and last night it was the penalty. It changed the result."
He warned that Malaysian football risks being stuck in a cycle of mistrust unless referee integrity is taken seriously.
"For the last two Malaysia Cup finals, we've spoken about the same issues with referees. It ruins the image of our football. Integrity must be the foundation of refereeing here. It's not about power, it's about trust," he said.