KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 — The violence between several Harimau Malaya supporters and a Vietnamese football fan was triggered by Malaysian supporters taunting and throwing bottles at the away fans, police said.
Shah Alam police chief ACP Azisman Alias said this was established after they took statements from witnesses and police officers on duty during the AFF Suzuki Cup first-leg semi-final on Sunday night.
“We arrested one local fan in his 20s. He was released on police bail because there was no concrete evidence,” he said
Azisman also said the Vietnamese football fan who was attacked by several Malaysian fans had decided not to lodge a report against his attackers.
“We don’t know why the victim does not want to lodge a police report. He refused to disclose this. No reports were received from other Vietnamese fans either.”
He said the victim suffered light injuries.
The situation at the stadium deteriorated when an old feud from this year’s Super League match between Johor and Perak re-ignited with scuffles between fans.
Azisman said police received three reports claiming that Perak fans were beaten up by some Johor fans, had stones thrown at their bus, plus window-smashing incidents outside of the stadium.
“We believe this was an act of revenge after some Johor fans were attacked in Manjung in April,” he said.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said despite Vietnamese fans not pressing charges, police would get to the bottom of the incident.
“We are taking this incident seriously and I urge those who were attacked to come forward and lodge police reports,” he said.
“There is no excuse for violence. I was also emotional but let’s be responsible citizens and learn self control.
“They are our guests, how would you feel if this happened to our own in the second-leg match in Vietnam?”
After the match, five men were also picked up for lighting flares in the stadium.
