PUTRAJAYA, Dec 9 — Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has suggested two ways to curb football hooliganism, especially during important matches.

He said the moves were for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to ban supporters with previous records from entering the stadium and stern action by police against the group.

“Incidents like the one at Shah Alam Stadium, last night has tarnished the image of the nation at the Southeast Asian level. In fact, in several comments on social websites, there are quarters who conclude that hooliganism is the culture of Malaysians when the incident actually involved a small number.

“We must restore our reputation and I hope through thorough and speedy investigation by the police, we can show the Vietnamese that we take the problem seriously,” he told a news conference at his office, here, today.

Advertisement

He was commenting on the unruly behaviour of some Malaysian supporters who attacked the Vietnamese supporters following the 2-1 loss of the Harimau Malaya squad to Vietnam in the first leg of the semi-final of the Suzuki AFF Cup at Shah Alam Stadium, last night.

Khairy said the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim) had informed him that police would find and charge those involved in the attack.

He said he had contacted the Vietnamese ambassador to Malaysia, Pham Cao

Advertisement

Phong to explain the incident and give his assurance that prompt investigation would be conducted to nab the culprits.

“He (Pham) expressed his disappointment over last night’s incident, especially at the little aid extended to the injured Vietnamese supporters. He hoped the incident would be investigated immediately.”

Khairy said Pham also gave his assurance that the authorities in Vietnam would provide the best security for the Malaysian players and supporters in the second leg of the semi-final between Harimau Malaya and the Vietnamese team. — Bernama