Some say he still can play

[My Malaysiana]

From The Star

Kedah FA urged not to be hasty in giving striker Hasmawi the axe

ALOR STAR: The Kedah Football Supporters Club (Kepda) has urged the Kedah Football Association (KFA) not to be too hasty in terminating the contract of Hasmawi Hassan because of the controversy the striker is in.

Kepda deputy president Jasni Shafie said Hasmawi should be given a chance to explain what really happened and be appraised only on his performance on the field and not on personal matters.

"Kepda will support 100% if he is dropped because his performance has declined," he said in a statement here.

Yesterday, KFA vice-president Datuk Chong Itt Chew was reported to have said that Hasmawi's contract would be terminated following the player's cancellation of his wedding at the eleventh hour using the short messaging service (SMS).

The action by the 23 year-old-striker, whose contract expires next year, was seen as unbecoming and had tarnished the image of the Kedah squad.

Hasmawi cancelled his marriage to Norlida Abdul Rahman, 23, a nurse from Kluang, in Johor. 19 hours before the ceremony was to take place last Friday.

Jasni said the controversy was the couple's personal problem and as long Hasmawi was not involved in crimes or social misconduct, no one had the right to judge him.

Many players who faced personal problems, like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney of England, did not have their contracts terminated because they showed good performances on the field, he said. - Bernama