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Penang football fans target Zairil, want Guan Eng's intervention

Football Association of Penang (FAP) president Zairil Khir Johari, who is also Bukit Bendera MP, has come under fire over the abysmal performance of the state's football team.

A coalition of 13 Penang football fan clubs today submitted a memorandum to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, urging that Zairil's position be reviewed.

It follows Penang FA's five consecutive defeats since the start of the Super League season this year.

"We want the chief minister to intervene and review Zairil's position as FAP president.

"It appears as if he (Zairil) does not know what his role and responsibilities as FAP president are," the coalition's spokesperson Mohamed Khir said.

Zairil was appointed as FAP president in January.

The fans also want the current coach Ashley Westwood to be sacked, claiming that his relationship with Penang FA's players is not on good terms.

They handed over the memorandum to Lim's information officer Zahar Zainul at Komtar about 3.30pm today.

The fans also brought several banners, including one that read 'Ashley Westwood get out from Penang'.

Mohamed said the fan clubs would boycott upcoming football matches if their demands were not addressed.

"We can accept losses, but it is too embarrassing to see the team losing five consecutive matches," he said.

FAP has been plagued with controversy since the beginning of this year.

On Feb 11, football fans rioted at the Penang Stadium after Sarawak defeated Penang FA 1-0.

Four fans were sentenced to two weeks in prison and RM7,000 fine after they pleased guilty to rioting.

On Feb 15, a molotov cocktail was hurled at the FAP office.

Zairil has claimed there were football fans with "ulterior motives" out to "create chaos".

Penang FA's last match, on Feb 18, saw the team being humiliated with a 6-1 defeat by Pahang.

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