Don’t let ’em fan the fire

Football under police spotlight for potential hooliganism at SEA Games

PETALING JAYA: Football will be under the spotlight from the police during the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

This is because Bukit Aman has flagged the sport for potential hooliganism at the Aug 19-30 Games.

“Normally when you talk about hooligans, you think of football. So, we will be more observant,” said Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department director Comm Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah.

He spoke to the media yesterday after inspecting the Shah Alam Stadium, one of the four venues to be used for football matches at the Games.

The other three venues are the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam and Universiti Malaya Arena Stadium in Petaling Jaya.

Malaysia are in Group A with Myanmar, Brunei, Singapore and Laos in the 11-team tournament.

Group B consists of defending champions Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Timor Leste, Cambodia and the Philippines.

Football, which is an Under-23 competition, will begin earlier. It will start on Aug 14 with the final on Aug 29.

Comm Zulkifli said there were extra concerns for football because of its passionate fans.

“We will give more attention, especially when rival countries are playing each other,” said Comm Zulkifli.

On ground readiness, Comm Zulkifli said that there will be 3,000 policemen on duty daily during the Games.

“Selangor is a big state, so we don’t have to get additional personnel from other states. Bukit Aman will also help them out,” said Comm Zulkifli.

Troublemakers: Supporters throwing flares onto the field in the World Cup qualifier between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia at the Shah Alam Stadium in 2015. Right: Police on guard against trouble during that match.