KUALA LUMPUR – Football Association of Selangor (FAS) deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar has come out swinging, firmly rejecting allegations of corruption and referee interference, while daring authorities to launch a full investigation to clear his name.
Breaking his silence after days of mounting scrutiny, Shahril when contacted, addressed claims made by Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim during a recent Malaysian Football League (MFL) partners’ roundtable, where it was alleged that he had attempted to influence match officials via text messages.
The accusation, broadcast live, centred on an alleged message sent to Kassim Kadir Bacha, the head of referees at the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), sparking a wave of backlash online, with fans accusing Shahril of misconduct.
Responding point-by-point, Shahril clarified that the message in question was sent at 12:56am on February 23 — several hours after Selangor’s Super League clash against Kuching City had concluded.
“The message was sent purely to express dissatisfaction over a refereeing decision in the closing stages of the match, which, in my view, did not undergo VAR review,” he said when contacted.
Addressing the corruption allegations head-on, Shahril was unequivocal in his denial.
“Is that corruption? Absolutely not. There were no offers, no inducements, and no elements whatsoever that could be construed as corrupt within that message,” he stressed.
He further argued that any intent to influence a match would logically have taken place prior to kick-off on February 22, rather than in the early hours following the final whistle.
In a bid to ensure transparency, Shahril revealed that he has made the screenshot of the conversation public and has submitted all relevant evidence to MFL president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan and FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman.
He has also formally called for a thorough investigation to determine whether any element of wrongdoing or interference exists.
“I welcome a full and independent investigation. I have nothing to hide,” he said.
Shahril added that he was speaking in a personal capacity, emphasising that neither Selangor nor FAS should be dragged into the controversy.
“This matter concerns me as an individual. I do not want Selangor or FAS to be unfairly tainted by these allegations,” he said. - May 1, 2026
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