Super League clubs take steps to beef up security

PETALING JAYA: Super League clubs are beginning to take necessary steps to improve security after the Malaysian Football League (MFL) urged them to do so due to the recent criminal acts on footballers.

Sabah coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said though his job is on the technical side, he can’t help but think about the safety of his players and officials in Kota Kinabalu.

He said the move by MFL to have a meeting with all security heads of clubs is a step in the right direction but hopes authorities would have sessions with players on crime awareness.

“All of us have to take extra precautions. Every stadium and every team have to make changes now. We cannot take things for granted when these things happened.

“We have so many things to think about such as the safety of officials and players, whenever and wherever go, is always intact.”

Three national players were victims of crime in the past week.

On May 2, Akhyar Rashid, who plays for Terengganu, was robbed

“We have so many things to think about such as the safety of officials and players, whenever and wherever go, is always intact.” Datuk Ong Kim Swee

at his residence in Kuala Terengganu, while Selangor winger Faisal Halim was an acid attack victim at a mall in Damansara on May 5.

Former national captain Safiq Rahim’s car’s rear windscreen was smashed by two assailants.

In Sabah, there are several national players in the squad and Kim Swee said the three incidents had affected them a little.

“Our players are a little worried. We will have lots of talks about this. It is time for higher authorities to talk to players about certain scenarios. We have to believe in our police and security but we hope everything can be better.”

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur chief executive officer Stanley Bernard Samuel said his club have been making sure that security improvements are made for players and officials.

“As a club, we have a little bit more scrutiny in doing checks before matches. We are doing so in our preparation for the home match against Kuching City on Sunday.”