FAS to take action over brawl at local football match

FAS to take action over brawl at local football match

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has promised to take "stern action" against the players involved in an alleged brawl during a Singapore FA Cup match at Bukit Gombak Stadium on Saturday night.

The New Paper understands that the incident occurred in the 88th minute of the match between Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association (Safsa) and Balestier United Recreation Club.

Safsa were leading 2-1 when both sides had a player sent off - Safsa's Fuad Ramli for pushing an opponent over and Balestier's Masnashzreen Masturi for reacting by allegedly punching Fuad.

Fuad is the younger brother of national player Faris Ramli while Masnashzreen is the sibling of former Lions striker Masrezwan Masturi.

Eyewitnesses told TNP that after Masnashzreen left the pitch, an angry exchange took place between Balestier players and Safsa captain Syafiq Siraj - who did not play in the game - and that led to a number of Balestier players chasing Syafiq into the stands.

In one video, Syafiq appeared to be attacked by several people after he tripped.

His Safsa teammates and team officials eventually managed to help break up the alleged attack.

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In response to TNP's queries after videos of the incident went viral yesterday, an FAS spokesman said: "The FAS is aware of the incident during the FA Cup match between Balestier United Recreation Club and Safsa on Saturday night.

"We would like to reiterate that the FAS does not condone violence of any form, and the alleged behaviour has no place in football.

"We understand that a police report has been lodged, and will provide the police with all co-operation and assistance necessary.

"In addition, we are also conducting our own investigation and stern action will be taken against any offender."

Syafiq wrote in a Facebook post, which has since been removed, that he had "no idea what made them want to chase me".

He also claimed his mother was hurt in the melee, and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

He added that they had made a police report.

In another video making its rounds, a man was aggressively told by someone donning Balestier's team shorts to stop recording the incident on his mobile phone.

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One eyewitness told TNP that police officers arrived at the scene within minutes of the incident.

The witness, who declined to be named, said: "It was ridiculous, this should not be happening. When players think they want to take over the game and go over the line, this is what happens.

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Control

"I think the management officials from both teams should have controlled their players better."

FAS council member S Thavaneson, who is chairman of both Balestier United Recreation Club and S.League side Balestier Khalsa, confirmed he was at the match but left about 10 minutes before the incident.

Thava, who also heads the Island Wide League and FAS competitions committee, told TNP yesterday: "I have already informed (FAS) I will exclude myself from any investigation.

"I think we need to get all the reports first and, without doubt... the most severe action has to be taken against all the errant parties."

Thava added that his club will be conducting an internal investigation, and has asked for his officials and players to submit reports.

Stiff punishments have been meted out to hot-headed footballers in recent years.

In August last year, Muhammad Maziz Abdul Rahman was jailed 10 months for voluntarily causing grievous hurt, when he attacked a referee after being sent off in a PSA Football League match.

Maziz was also ordered to pay $2,000 to the match official, who suffered injuries including a broken nose and head bruises as a result of the attack.

In 2014, seven players from National Football League side Bishan Barx were handed suspensions ranging from three matches to an entire year and $500 fines, for their part in a mass brawl with Siglap CSC.Bishan Barx were also hit with a points deduction and a $1,000 fine.

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This article was first published on October 3, 2016.
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