Malaysian spitter handed six-game ban

SINGAPORE — Malaysian footballer Nazmi Faiz could miss the rest of the 2015 SEA Games after being suspended for six matches for spitting at an opponent, the Football Association of Malaysia announced yesterday on its Facebook page.

The punishment, meted out by the Asian Football Confederation disciplinary committee yesterday, comes after the 20-year-old was sent off during Malaysia’s 1-0 win over Timor Leste on Saturday for spitting at Felipe Oliveira in the first half.

Malaysia will play up to six more matches, including their four remaining Group B matches, if they reach the Games final on June 15.

However, it is unclear if the ban is effective immediately, or pending an appeal.

The suspension comes after Malaysia’s chef de mission Norza Zakaria called for Nazmi to be expelled for his behaviour during Saturday’s game at Bishan Stadium.

“I’ll leave it to the team management to handle the issue. It’s the right thing to send him back,” Norza told The Star daily. “We cannot tolerate such behaviour from our athletes.”

Malaysia coach Ong Kim Swee also publicly criticised the player. Malaysia is being represented by 658 athletes and 206 officials in 35 of the 36 sports featured at the Games, which officially start with the opening ceremony on Friday. AGENCIES