At a football match, anything can happen once the fans get riled up. We’ve heard of people setting off fireworks or causing a scene by cheering or booing – but if you’re not careful, you might end up getting beaten up by other members of the audience or worse, the military themselves.
During the recent 2023 Malaysia FA Cup final match between clubs Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Kuala Lumpur City (KL), a few rowdy fans were escorted out of the stadium by security and officers from the Royal Johor Military Force (JMF). It was a method of crowd control as the fans were supposedly provoking fans from the opposing team. However, that was not the only thing the JMF did because it was reported that they also assaulted a fan.
A journalist reported the altercation that occurred that night and posted more details about the incident in a Twitter thread earlier today (24th July). In the thread, he also included a police statement that confirmed a football fan was assaulted by JMF personnel. The victim suffered multiple injuries, including a broken nose, bleeding on the head and right eye, and bruises all over his body.
Several videos of the incident went viral on social media, including one where the officers assaulted the victim. It was unconfirmed what prompted the assault, but several sources have shared that the victim could have acted belligerently during the match. The journalist also acknowledged the other victims from that night who did not lodge complaints for fear of retaliation.
Following news of the incident, netizens shared their opinions regarding the assault with dividing views. Some slammed the JMF and said the officers had no reason to use physical force on the victims. However, others said the victim deserved it as he acted out provoking gestures at the match.
The JMF and JDT have yet to make an official statement regarding this matter – but we hope they will take responsibility for what happened to the victim.
