The ugly side of Malaysian football fans
Zefry Dahalan
| December 8, 2014
The brutal attack by Malaysian fans on Vietnamese supporters last night is one that has received widespread condemnation.
SHAH ALAM:
Malaysian fans showed their ugly, unruly side when they launched an attack on Vietnamese fans in Shah Alam Stadium last night after the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 semi–final match was over. Malaysia lost 1-2 to Vietnam.
It was unclear how the fight started but on the Sukan Star TV Facebook page, many pictures of the ruckus were uploaded including one of a Vietnamese fan whose head was bleeding.
Another picture was of a Vietnamese girl crying and at least two other Vietnamese supporters sprawled on the ground.
Thousands of readers have since left comments on Facebook and interestingly almost all the Malaysians who commented on the page, condemned the brutal actions of local football fans.
E-Pey Afifi commented: “Sorry for this unprofessional behaviour, from some small quarter of Malaysian football fans. We love football and we respect our opponents’ fans as well. Hope these culprits will be brought to justice. Sigh!! Very humiliating.
Another Malaysian, Abdul Hanif, who was clearly distraught over the brawl, left a comment saying he was disappointed and regretted the attack, adding that he was vehemently against such behaviour. He also apologised to the Vietnamese, saying it was not Malaysian “culture” and that the majority of Malaysians sympathised with the Vietnamese. He ended the posting with “Please forgive me…”
Roswan Idris meanwhile commented: “Bro I’m sorry for what a group of my country football fans do to your people. I myself am ashamed by this incident but don’t blame all Malaysians just for what some random dude do, and I’m truly sorry for what had happen and congrats on Vietnam wins.”
Other Malaysian fans said the supporters should have graciously accepted the defeat and not resorted to physically attacking the supporters of their opponents, leading to the ugly scene at the stadium.
Vietnamese fans also commented on the Facebook page with most of them reminding Malaysians on the solidarity shown by the Vietnamese when Malaysia Airlines plane, MH370 went missing and MH17 was shot down.
Tony Hoang said: ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’, I heard this song everyday on Discovery Channel, and I thought that your guys’ country is a beautiful country with friendly and nice people. I’ve planned to visit your country, but after I watch this match and these pictures, I had to change my thinking of your country. Remember that, Vietnam is 1st country helps your country find MH370, we prayed for your country for what? So sad.”
Trần Trọng Nghĩa commented: “You guys did a really bad thing. We – Vietnamese prayed for you guys about MH370, sympathy (sympathised) with your country about MH370. And now, look what you guys did for (to) us: Blood and tears! Your player punched our player. Your fans assaulted our fans. Shame on you, Malaysians.”
Vinh Thuận Lưu also reminded Malaysians how Vietnamese supported and prayed for the passengers of MH370 and MH17, and said he thought Malaysians were “very friendly and kind”. Vinh also said that those who were involved in the ruckus should be brought to justice, adding, “When you come to MyDinh Stadium (Hanoi). We will show you how are the football, how is fan.”
Malaysia will travel to Hanoi to face Vietnam this Thursday for the second leg of the semi-finals match.
Minister of Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin has officially apologised to Vietnam for the bad behaviour of the Malaysian fans while condemning their actions and describing them as “unruly thugs”.
It is believed the brawl was triggered by some Malaysian fans throwing plastic bottles at the Vietnamese, which led to rising tempers on both sides and eventually a full blown fist fight.
This latest brawl comes in the heels of last week’s incident where the Asian Football Confederation slapped FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) with a US$10,000 (RM34,000) fine for the misbehaviour of Malaysians fans during a friendly with the Philippines in March at the Selayang Stadium.
The ugly side of Malaysian football fans | Free Malaysia Today
