PETALING JAYA, April 17 — Teams could be forced to play in empty stadiums if fans continue to misbehave.

 

Unimpressed with the supporters’ unruly behaviour during the Perak-Johor Darul Takzim match in Ipoh on Tuesday, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said the drastic measure to ban fans from stadiums would be the last, but possible, resort to minimise untoward incidents.

“We have written to our affiliates, requesting them to advise their officials, players and fans against causing any problems during a match. Even the security committee had met recently to discuss ways to eliminate hooliganism,” said FAM general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin.

“Perhaps we need to come up with better methods. There is a possibility for matches to be played behind closed doors. It’s a last resort but we may be forced to do it.”

Fans lit smoke bombs in the final minutes of the match before hurling objects onto the pitch after the final whistle was blown. The Southern Tigers edged the Kinta Valley outfit 1-0 in the match.

Several fans, media personnel and two policemen were among those hurt during the incident, forcing the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) to step in. Johor fans were instructed to gather in the field as police controlled the situation outside the stadium. Tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse the crowd.

Police detained eight people. They were investigated for rioting under Section 148 of the Penal Code.

Hamidin said the national body had yet to receive reports over the episode in Ipoh.

“We held discussions with Perak FA and police ahead of the match but things still got out of hand. It’s not all the fans but there are several trouble makers who are giving the fans a bad name.”

“I have to wait for the reports by the relevant officials before I can comment further.”

On Monday, fans attacked a man after Penang Water Corporation hosted Felda United at the City Stadium in George Town. Police intervened and escorted the victim out of the stadium.

These incidents come barely two months after FAM launched the ‘Love Football, Stop Hooliganism’ campaign to tackle the problem.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin revealed in Parliament last month there have been 18 reported incidents of fans causing havoc in stadiums since 2012.