KUALA LUMPUR – Hooliganism in football is on the rise, with a fight breaking out during last week’s Putrajaya FA championship match.
A 16-second video posted by @pengadilbola on X (formerly Twitter) showed players and coaches throwing punches and hurling slurs at each other in the middle of the match.
Several netizens retweeted the post, urging those involved in the brawl to maintain a positive attitude on the pitch rather than resorting to violence during the game.
“Why is there a need to fight like this in a social football league match? These players aren’t going to win millions of ringgit,” said @aminfuad_10 in a retweet.
“There’s no point in fighting like this. These guys aren’t going to get called up to play for Malaysia,” said @imanzulhakm in a retweet.
“Football is a great sport that unites everyone. It’s a wonderful game for the community. Please stop this kind of mentality,” said @faezzzainal8 in a retweet.
Meanwhile, some netizens expressed concern that football is becoming a violent sport, and that such issues should be addressed for the betterment of the sport in Malaysia.
“It’s so saddening to witness players and coaches fighting like this. I hope this attitude is not replicated by our grassroots players, and I hope there will be an end to this violent culture,” said @ermanlawyer in a retweet.
“Problematic teams like these should be banned from football. Imagine having VAR with these teams; there will be higher chances for sports organisers to keep changing the VAR television screen due to their fights,” said @Ashraff97 in a retweet.
“Due to violence like this in the sport, it’s no wonder many of them are opting to play badminton nowadays,” @aizat_umar expressed in a retweet.
The Putrajaya FA championship falls under the Malaysian M5 League.
Founded in 2018, the M5 League is a group of leagues that consist of various state FA, community, and social leagues, which are part of the Amateur Football League’s (AFL) plan to reform the Malaysian football league structure.
AFL is an organisation sanctioned by the Football Association of Malaysia to govern amateur-level football.
Scoop will reach out to AFL chief operating officer Mohd Raimi Fakri Mohd Fuad for comment on the football body’s actions against the players and teams involved in the brawl. – November 9, 2023