S.League players Madhu, Raihan charged with ill-discipline

SINGAPORE – Tampines Rovers defender Madhu Mohana has been handed a suspended fine of S$1,000 for his outburst on social media after an S.League match this season.

Madhu, 26, had vented his frustations on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram after his team’s 2-1 loss to Albirex Niigata in the Community Shield on February 26 at the National Stadium. The Singapore International was shown a straight red card by referee Sukhbir Singh in the 88th min for what was deemed to be a dangerous challenge.

Apart from Madhu’s dismissal, Sukhbir also sent off Stags players Yasir Hanapi and Ismadi Mukhtar. The referee had also disallowed Ivan Dzoni’s successful 59th min spot-kick with Tampines leading 1-0, with the Croatian striker subsequently missing the re-taken kick.

After the game, Tampines captain Madhu took to the social media platforms to post cryptic comments that referenced those events.

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Disciplinary Committee (DC) convened a hearing on Thursday (March 16) to charge the 26-year-old with “posting content of a derogatory nature against a match official”.

“Madhu Mohana admitted and pleaded guilty to the charge,” the FAS said in a statement afterwards. “He was given a fine of $1,000, suspended until 31 December 2017. He was also directed to give an official letter of apology to the match official.”

The DC also heard the case of Balestier Khalsa midfielder Raihan Rahman, who allegedly used a racial slur against Warriors FC winger Jordan Webb in their 2-1 league defeat on February 28.

According to The New Paper, Webb said Raihan had called him a “n*****” at around the 75th minute of the game at Toa Payoh Stadium following the award of a free-kick to Balestier after a foul by Webb.

“I heard it loud and clear, 1,000 per cent,” said Webb in the newspaper report. “(Raihan) wouldn’t be able to sit here to my face and say he didn’t.”

However, the DC said on Thursday that Raihan’s case will be adjourned to a later date.

“Balestier Khalsa FC player Raihan Rahman was charged for an act of misconduct for allegedly using a racial slur on an opponent during an off-the-field… The case was adjourned, and a new date will be confirmed in due course,” said the FAS.

In 2012, another Balestier player, Zulkiffli Hassim, was convicted of racial abuse against Woodlands Wellington player, Fabien Lewis from Trinidad and Tobago, during a match. He was hit with a five-match ban and fined S$1,000 by FAS.