KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 ― The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will next week know the punishment for the crowd trouble during the 2018 World Cup qualifier between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia at the Shah Alam Stadium in September.

Sports Commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman said she had made a decision but declined to reveal it due to several factors, including Malaysia's humiliating 0-6 loss to Palestine in an away leg in the qualifier in Amman, Jordan, on Thursday.

“I hope that everyone can be patient. The punishment is in the interest of football players, the FAM and the people,” she said after handing over the Malaysian flag to the Civil Service Sports Championship contingent here, today.

FAM is expected to be punished with a fine and not suspended as stated by FIFA rules because suspension is only meant for government interference.

Zaiton said the punishment will not affect the function of FAM as the main administrator of football in this country.

On October 5, FIFA slapped a RM180,000 fine on  FAM for the crowd trouble and awarded Saudi Arabia a 3-0 win over Malaysia.

Malaysia also had to play minus fans in the World Cup qualifier against United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Shah Alam Stadium on November 17. ― Bernama