KUALA LUMPUR: Following the shocking attacks on national stars Faisal Halim and Akhyar Rashid, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) said it will work on ensuring a safe environment for all, including fans.
Selangor forward Faisal, who was splashed with acid at a shopping mall in Kota Damansara last week, is reported to be in critical condition with fourth-degree burns.
Three days earlier, Terengganu FC winger Akhyar suffered minor injuries to his head and legs during an alleged robbery in Kuala Terengganu.
After the vicious attacks on Akhyar and Faisal, concerns over safety have understandably escalated among local football fans.
The MFL, which is administrator of the M-League, said today it condemns all forms of violence and wants the perpetrators brought to justice.
"We acknowledge the gravity of the situation and recognize our responsibility to prioritise the safety of all individuals, especially considering past occurrences involving fans both inside and outside stadium premises," said MFL chief executive officer Datuk Stuart Ramalingam.
While expressing confidence in the effectiveness of the existing security protocols, Stuart emphasised the importance of ensuring robust measures around the away sections at stadiums to prevent untoward incidents.
"While we haven't encountered operational issues in this regard, the recent events have heightened our concerns," said Stuart.
Stuart said the Charity Shield match between Johor Darul Ta'zim and Selangor at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium this weekend will proceed as scheduled, as there have been no requests for cancellation from either side so far.
"In light of the isolated incidents involving Faisal and Akhyar, it's crucial to understand that these were social occurrences unrelated to football. Nevertheless, we are actively monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with the relevant authorities," said Stuart.