Sabah head coach refutes racism claims

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 9): Sabah FC head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny has refuted allegations of racism made by PDRM FC player Fadi Awad following their Super League match on Saturday.

The Australian coach, in a statement to the press on Tuesday, explained the match was highly physical and he approached the player briefly in the first half to ask him to stop striking Sabah players after challenges.

“The exchange lasted no more than 30 to 45 seconds. I repeated my request in a firmer tone, but at no point did I insult him,” he said.

He added that if the player felt disrespected, he is willing to apologise for the misunderstanding but will not apologise for protecting his team.

“To suggest racism based on such a brief interaction is unfair and deeply offensive,” de Marigny stressed, noting his 45 years in football working with players from diverse cultures worldwide.

He also highlighted his personal background having grown up in multicultural Australia and raising a family connected to multiple ethnicities.

“Racism is something we take very seriously in Australia and it is never tolerated,” he said.

De Marigny concluded the statement by wishing Fadi Awad well in his career, expressing hope that the player finds “his better self, happiness and peace.

On Sunday, PDRM import player Fadi shared in InstaStories after the match claiming that de Marigny had disrespected him by using inappropriate language during the league fixture at Selayang Municipal Council Stadium.

“Every time we play against Sabah, whether at home or away, there’s always mutual respect between the teams. But today, their head coach disrespected me in front of everyone, using inappropriate language that doesn’t reflect the values of Sabah FC.

“I truly hope he understands that Sabah is bigger than any individual, and that the club has earned the respect of many including myself,” he posted.

Fadi did not reveal the exact words exchanged during their brief meeting but he appeared to point to racism as he concluded his posting (sic) ‘Being Racist is Being Stupid’.

Sabah defeated PDRM 4-1 to register only their second win in the current league campaign.

The Rhinos moved up to eighth in the 13-team standings having collected 10 points (two wins, four draws, four losses).

Meanwhile, the victory has injected confidence into the Rhinos as they prepare to tackle Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the FA Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on December 14.