KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has called on football organisers across the country to prioritise safety following a tragic incident in Melaka involving a suspected lightning strike that claimed the life of a player during a friendly match.
Speaking to Scoop, FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman said the governing body was treating the matter with the utmost seriousness after the incident occurred during a match between Rembau Indian Veteran FC and Tanjung Minyak FC at the Rakan Muda Complex field in Lendu.
He extended FAM’s condolences to the victim’s family and urged the public to allow authorities to complete their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“The incident serves as a stark reminder to the football community that safety must always come first.
“FAM therefore calls on all state football associations, clubs, academies and tournament organisers to closely monitor weather conditions before and throughout every match,” he said.
Noor Azman also encouraged organisers to adopt Lightning Detection Systems at venues as part of enhanced safety protocols for players, officials and spectators.
He said such systems are capable of tracking lightning activity in real time and issuing early warnings, allowing match officials to make timely and informed decisions before conditions become hazardous.
“The use of such systems has become standard practice in many professional leagues and competitions as part of comprehensive risk management procedures.
“FAM wishes to stress that postponing or abandoning a match on safety grounds should never be regarded as a sign of poor organisation. It is a responsible decision because no football match is more important than the lives and safety of everyone at the venue,” he said.
Following the incident, FAM said it will obtain a full report from the Melaka Football Association (PB Melaka) and match organisers to determine the sequence of events and assess the safety measures in place before and during the game.
The findings will be used to identify improvements in matchday safety protocols nationwide.
Noor Azman further urged all stakeholders in the sport to remain vigilant, adhere strictly to established safety procedures, and prioritise the welfare of players, officials, staff and spectators at all times.
Earlier, a player was pronounced dead after he was believed to have been struck by lightning during the match, while a referee was also injured in the same incident.
The victim, identified as R Thanesh, was confirmed dead while receiving treatment at the emergency department of Alor Gajah Hospital. – July 6, 2026