KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — Police have arrested 11 individuals over an incident that forced the suspension of the Malaysia-Saudi Arabia World Cup qualifying football match yesterday, The Star Online reported.

Shah Alam police chief Asst Comm Shafien Mamat declined comment when asked if those arrested belonged to the Ultras Malaya football supporters group.

Shafien said the police will probe how flares and fireworks were smuggled into the Shah Alam Stadium, adding that investigators will liaise with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the Shah Alam City Hall on this.

"Based on how we conducted checks on those entering the stadium, it is quite impossible for them to bring in the items without anyone noticing,” he was quoted saying, suggesting that the smuggling took place earlier.

Smoke flares and fireworks were thrown onto the Shah Alam Stadium’s pitch shortly after Saudi Arabia took the lead with two goals against Malaysia’s one, forcing the game to be halted as players from both sides left the pitch.

The Shah Alam police chief confirmed that no football fans from Saudi Arabia were reported to have been hurt in alleged assault incidents.

"So far, we haven't received any report of assault by Saudi Arabian supporters. An envoy told me that no Saudi Arabia supporters were injured," Shafien was quoted saying.

Yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said both the FAM and football fans are at fault for the “embarrassing” flare incident, blaming the former for losing control of their own stadium and calling out the fans for their “wrong” actions.

Malaysia also suffered last Thursday a shocking 10-0 defeat to the United Arab Emirates in another World Cup qualifier game, a result which The Star Online said had prompted the Ultra Malayas to allegedly protest against the FAM.

On Monday, national news agency Bernama reported Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah announcing that he will resign as the FAM president over the national team’s 10-0 defeat to the United Arab Emirates.

Dollah Salleh had last Friday resigned as the national team’s coach following the 10-0 loss, while former international midfielder Datuk Ong Kim Swee was appointed as interim coach.