Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) today sacked a player who had allegedly stolen money from a fellow player during a team training session at the Seri Gelam field on May 1.

Johor Football Association president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim confirmed that the player's services were terminated after admitting that he had stolen the money.

"We have decided to terminate his services. We wish him well," he told reporters and JDT fans in Johor Baru today.

Tunku Ismail (right) said though JDT had decided to sack him, the case would still be handled by the police because the victim who plays in defence had lodged a police report at the Johor Baharu Selatan police headquarters at 1.37pm today.

According to his report, he had placed RM500 in his bag before going out for a training session but when he came back the money was missing.
    
He had later informed the team management about the loss and CCTV recordings showed who had stolen the money.
    
When the player who had allegedly stolen the money was confronted by the JDT team management, he admitted his guilt.
    
Crown prince: Worst refereeing I've ever seen

Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail when asked to comment on the FA Cup first leg semifinal between JDT and Pahang said the quality of refereeing was the worst he had seen throughout his involvement in football.

"This is the worst I have seen throughout my life," he said of the quality of refereeing in the match that ended in a 1-1 draw.

He added that the poor standard of refereeing was a reflection of the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) poor management and failure to improve the quality of referees.

Tunku Ismail reiterated his willingness to fork out money from his own pocket to improve the quality of referees in the country, including setting up an academy for referees.

"I don't mind losing or ending up with a draw but it must be fair but yesterday's match was like we were robbed," he said.

JDT will travel to Kuantan, Pahang for the second leg on May 30.

- Bernama