Malaysia's Nazmi banned for spitting

Malaysian Under-23 footballer Nazmi Faiz Mansor will play no further part in the SEA Games after he was banned for six matches by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) disciplinary committee.

The punishment was revealed by the Football Association of Malaysia in a Facebook post yesterday afternoon.

Nazmi was sent off during Malaysia's 1-0 Group B opening win against Timor Leste at the Bishan Stadium on Saturday, after the 20-year-old spat at Timor Leste's Filipe Oliveira in the 32nd minute.

The influential midfielder is one of the most highly rated players in coach Ong Kim Swee's national set-up, but looks set to face further disciplinary action.

"It's a disgrace to commit this kind of mistake and I have told him that I'm not finished with him yet," Ong was quoted as saying by the Malaysian media yesterday. "I have told him that I can send him back or fine him."

A remorseful Nazmi posted on the Twitter account of the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia: "I really regret what happened.

"There are no excuses and I accept my punishment.

"I apologise to all Malaysians and had no intention to let the nation down."

ocharles@sph.com.sg