KUALA LUMPUR – A football game in the Suparimau League turned ugly as players from both sides were seen fighting and hurling slurs at each other in the middle of the game.
A 45-second video posted by @pengadilbola on X (formerly known as Twitter) also showed the referees and officials officiating the match were unable to stop the escalating situation, with players chasing each other and launching kicks.
Liga Suparimau. Liga rasmi FAM untuk pembangunan bola sepak akar umbi di Malaysia. Inilah bola sepak yang sedang dibangunkan. Harap dah besar dah pro nanti jangan pukul referee 🙏🏻😭 pic.twitter.com/4sCE5cwGYR
— Pemerhati Pengadil (@pengadilbola) November 6, 2023
Several netizens commented on the post, urging the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to take action against the players, as the Suparimau League falls under the purview of the footballing body.
“The Suparimau League, which is supposed to be FAM’s official league for the development of grassroots football in Malaysia, and this is the kind of players they are developing? I hope they don’t end up hitting referees once they become professionals,” said @pengadilbola.
“FAM needs to take decisive action in this matter. They need to ban the teams and players causing this kind of trouble. FAM should not give them special treatment. These young players should learn a lesson; discipline and manners should start at a young age,” one netizen who goes by the name of @MrClouseau commented.
Meanwhile, a few netizens also questioned the need for players to fight and advised young players to develop a strong mentality on the pitch.
“Talent development is not just about fitness, technique, and tactics, but what’s important is intelligence, a strong mentality, and the ability to control your emotions. Even if you are the best player in the world, what’s the point if you fail to be a person of noble character,” said @D_BolaSepak in a retweet.
With more than 80 competitions across 11 districts in Malaysia, the Suparimau League, sanctioned by FAM, is a series of youth football leagues for 5 to 17-year-olds.
Since January 2022, the league has provided an inclusive platform for over 14,000 aspiring young footballers.
Scoop will be reaching out to FAM’s Head of Grassroots, Cameron Ng for comments on the action that will be taken by the football body towards the players and teams involved in the brawl. – November 6, 2023