Azinee Taib, 33, pleaded not guilty after the three charges were read before magistrate Nur Azzuin Abdul Moati, Sinar Harian reported.

Azinee, an attacking midfielder, played for several football clubs in his career, including Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) and Melaka United.

On the first count, Azinee was jointly charged with two accomplices who are still at large with breaking into a house at Taman Benut Utama, Benut to commit burglary.

The offence was allegedly committed around midnight on June 8.

He was also charged with two accomplices, Hairul Hafiz Muzaren, 24, and Khairul Akmal Zainol Abidin, 31, with breaking into another house at Taman Cendana, Benut around 1.15pm on July 3.

Hairul and Khairul also pleaded not guilty.

Meanwhile, Azinee was slapped with a charge of possession of stolen property, involving a mobile phone owned by the victims of one of the houses he broke into.

The charges were framed under Section 457 of the Penal Code for breaking into a house, which provides for up to 14 years’ jail, and a fine or whipping for every subsequent offence.

Azinee was also charged under Section 411 of the Penal Code for dishonestly retaining stolen property, which is punishable with a maximum five-year jail sentence or a fine, or both, if convicted.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurezzati Zaini prosecuted while the accused persons were not represented.

According to the Malay-language daily, Azinee asked the court for a lower bail amount, saying he now worked at a market earning RM1,000 a month and had to look after his five children and parents.

Nur Azzuin fixed bail at RM5,000 for each offence with one surety, and ordered him to report to a police station once a month.