In a protest outside Komtar today, the group’s spokesman Mohamad Khir Md Nor said dialogue was urgently needed as the Penang Panthers had been less than ferocious of late.
Khir said the Panthers’ five straight defeats since early this year could be the state”s worst performance on record in the Malaysian Super League (MSL) or any other local league in the past..
Last Saturday, Panthers were trampled 1-6 by Pahang’s Elephants in the biggest home defeat in the MSL so far. The first four of the five losses also saw the Panthers suffer a goal drought.
The MSL season began Jan 20 and will conclude on Oct 21.
The Penang Panthers are currently bottom of the league. They risk being relegated to the second tier Malaysia Premier League.
Tomorrow, the Panthers will play Kedah in an away game.
“We want the chief minister to reconsider Zairil Khir Johari’s position as president of the association. It appears Zairil does not know his duties as Penang FA president.
“Also, we want coach Ashley Westwood to be removed as it appears he cannot get along with the players.
“Imported players are also of no use. They have not displayed their mettle in the premier league or even the super league. It is a big waste,” said Khir.
Khir said if there was no immediate response from the authorities, the supporters would boycott the next home game on March 1 against Melaka United.
He presented a memorandum outlining their concerns to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. The Chief Minister’s Office information officer Zahar Zainol received the memorandum at Komtar lobby.
Westwood, previously a player with the Manchester United Academy, replaced Brazil’s Jackson F Tiago as coach on Nov 28.
Westwood told reporters recently that he was the right man for the job and urged fans to stay confident.
“After 10 or 11 matches, if things are not working well, then I will be the first person to lift my hands up and say they are right,” he was reported as saying in a press conference recently.
Meanwhile, Zairil said he acknowledged the fans’ opinions.
“We don’t think we are right all the time. We acknowledge their views and certainly, I know that on our side, we are doing all we can to get better results.
“I disagree that the players don’t get along with the coach. I can say that most do. If there are one or two who don’t, again that’s normal when you have a big group of people.”