Malaysian football giants Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are set to bring home a massive “reward” totaling RM6.75 million, even after being fined by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) following their intense AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) quarter-final clash last Friday.
JDT was ordered to pay a fine of US$7,000 (approx. RM27,700) after accumulating seven yellow cards during the high-stakes match against defending champions Al-Ahli. The disciplinary action, involving both players and team officials, was issued under Article 53.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.
The referee, Adham Makhadmeh from Jordan, issued the cautions following several aggressive plays in a match that saw the Southern Tigers narrowly lose 1-2 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. JDT has 30 days to settle the payment to avoid further action.
| Category | Details | Amount (RM) |
| Reward | Group Stage Participation Fee | RM 3.16 Million |
| Reward | 3 Victories (East Zone) | RM 1.20 Million |
| Reward | Round of 16 Qualification Bonus | RM 790,000 |
| Reward | Quarter-Final Qualification Bonus | RM 1.60 Million |
| GROSS TOTAL | Total ACLE Campaign Earnings | RM 6.75 Million |
| Fine | Team Misconduct (AFC) | (RM 27,700) |
Despite the fine, the amount is considered minor compared to the monumental impact made by Xisco Munoz’s squad. Beyond the financial gains, JDT has etched its name in history as the first Malaysian club to break into the final eight under the new ACLE format.
This achievement does more than just solidify JDT’s status as an Asian elite; it also contributed a significant 21.500 MA ranking points for Malaysia. This success sets a new benchmark for local clubs competing on Asia’s highest stage.
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