Football clubs in Malaysia tightening security amid recent attacks on players; some bicker over cancelled match

KUALA LUMPUR: First, Terengganu FC player Akhyar Rashid was injured in a robbery outside his home in the east coast state on May 2. Three days later, Selangor FC winger and Malaysian football star Faisal Halim became the victim of an acid attack while at a shopping mall in the Petaling Jaya district outside Kuala Lumpur. 

Then came the latest incident on Tuesday (May 7) when Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) midfielder Safiq Rahim had his car’s rear windscreen smashed after he was confronted by two men in Johor Bahru.

The three incidents have left the Malaysian football fraternity shaken, with clubs beefing up the security of their personnel while pondering about the safety of their players. And according to at least one club, the police have also requested the home addresses of footballers and officials for “mapping” purposes. 

In the wake of the assault on the football players and especially that of Faisal, Selangor FC have made the decision not to play in the Charity Shield match against JDT scheduled for Friday in Johor’s Iskandar Puteri district. The match also serves as an opener for the new Malaysia Super League (MSL) season.  

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MSL is the top-tier league of Malaysian football and counts JDT, Selangor FC and Terengganu FC as among its clubs. 

FOOTBALL CLUBS TAKING PRECAUTIONS 

Kuala Lumpur City FC chief executive officer Stanley Bernard told CNA that his club was stepping up the security for its players and officials, especially as it has a home game against Kuching FC this weekend. Both clubs are part of the MSL.

“We had to immediately call the team in and brief them on certain things … and to ensure that they are vigilant during training and obviously during times that we cannot control,” he said. 

Mr Bernard added that his players have also been advised when making any updates on social media. 

“To be safe and to be wise with them. Most of them practice it already but it is just a reminder (to be careful).” 

Mr Bernard said that everyone in the sports industry was shocked by the incidents. 

“We do practise moderation and Malaysia is known to be a safe country, especially in sports and for athletes. But at the moment, that is being questioned. The players don’t fear just for themselves but their family members as well.  

“We absolutely condemn violence. It is despicable and has no place in society, let alone to athletes,” he said. 

Similarly, Terengganu FC CEO Mohd Sabri Abas said that the club had also increased security for their players and this included installing closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) around the training grounds.

“The police have also requested the addresses of all players and officials for their mapping. We also had a security briefing for the players with the help of the police,” he told CNA. 

Selangor FC CEO Johan Kamal Hamidon said in a statement on May 7 that the security for the players, officials, and staff had been increased following the incident on Faisal.

An official from Selangor FC confirmed this but declined to disclose more details on what these security arrangements were. 

Mr Johan was also allegedly threatened with an acid attack, according to media reports.      

Mr Alistair Edwards, who is the CEO of JDT, said in a Facebook post on May 8 that the team has boosted the security of their players as a precautionary measure due to the recent incidents.

“We have also advised our players to be cautious of their surroundings and postings on social media at all times,” he said in a Facebook post. 

Meanwhile, Penang FC midfielder Syamer Kutty Abba - who is currently on loan from JDT - said that he is limiting his movement outside due to the recent spate of violence against footballers. 

“I am more vigilant now. I am not going out so much,” Syamer was quoted as saying by The Star.

“No one should endure that. Personally, I feel for all three because they are my mates,” he added.

ATTACKS WITHIN A WEEK

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain told local media that a pattern has emerged from the three attacks on the national football players, The Star reported.

“Our investigations also showed that the players involved were tailed prior to the attacks.

"The perpetrators also worked in pairs in all the attacks," Mr Shuhaily said, adding that it appears that preparations were made prior to the incidents. 

Terengganu FC’s Akhyar, who was the first victim, suffered injuries to his head and leg after being attacked by two robbers on May 3 in his housing area in Kuala Terengganu. The 25-year-old is currently on loan from JDT. 

Subsequently, Selangor FC’s Faisal was splashed with acid after he was approached by two assailants at a shopping mall in Kota Damansara on May 5. 

The winger - who was adjudged to have scored the goal of the tournament at the Asian Cup against South Korea in January - has had to undergo two rounds of surgery so far. He suffered fourth-degree burns and there are fears that he might never be able to play again.        

And on Tuesday, JDT midfielder Safiq became the third footballer to be attacked following a training session in Johor Bahru. Mr Shuhaily, the CID director, however, said that it was too early for police to say if the three cases were connected.

“We have made two arrests so far in connection with the Faisal Halim case. One suspect has already been released while the other suspect is still under remand.

"The investigations are ongoing, and we have yet to establish if the suspect in custody is involved in this case," he said. 

Meanwhile, Mr Shuhaily said the police are also investigating if there is a connection between the poison pen letter sent to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) last month and the attack on the national players.

It was previously reported that the poison pen letter had criticised FAM’s leadership and management, among others. 

PULLOUT FROM SEASON OPENER 

Selangor FC’s decision to pull out from the Charity Shield event on Friday came after the Malaysian Football League (MFL) decided to proceed with the match. Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah also said that he was disappointed that the MFL had rejected Selangor FC’s request to postpone the match. 

“After much deliberation and detailed discussions, following a series of criminal incidents, and recent threats to several players and team officials, the club have reluctantly decided not to participate in the match.

“We would like to emphasise that the safety of the team is of the utmost importance, and we take all forms of violence and threats seriously,” they said in a statement on May 8, adding that they “deeply regretted” the matter.

A statement on Facebook by the Selangor Royal Office on Thursday read: “As the patron of Selangor FC, His Royal Highness believes that, in light of recent incidents endangering the lives of players and officials, it is appropriate for Selangor FC not to participate in the said match, which marks the inaugural fixture of the 2024 Super League.”

“His Royal Highness believes that at this juncture, the priority is the lives and safety of the players rather than winning the Cup.” 

In response, JDT CEO Mr Edwards said that his team was disappointed with Selangor FC’s decision to withdraw from the match despite assurances from the police regarding the team’s safety.

“We vehemently condemn the incident involving Faisal Halim and the alleged threats received by some members at Selangor FC but we hope Selangor FC can reconsider their decision to withdraw from the match as this could set a precedent of teams pulling out because they feel unsafe, and that too despite assurances from the Royal Malaysian Police,” he said in a Facebook post on May 9.

He claimed that JDT had previously been attacked in hostile environments in Pahang, Perak and Kelantan in the past but “still travelled” and played those matches under increased police presence. 

“Selangor have never been attacked at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. In fact their team and fans were escorted by police into the stadium and to their buses in previous matches.

“While the recent incidents involving Akhyar Rashid, Faisal Halim and Safiq Rahim are concerning, we must place our trust in authorities to not only investigate the cases but also to protect our safety and ensure the running of the 2024-25 football season,” he said. 

In an Instagram post on May 9, Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim who is also the owner of JDT said that the “show must go on.” 

“In life, the show must go on. #thegameisrigged #whatcanyoudo,” he said in the caption of a reel.

The MFL later on Thursday announced that the game has been cancelled because of Selangor FC’s decision not to play the game, with a 3-0 walkover victory being awarded to JDT. 

As a result, the Southern Tigers gained three points from the walkover.