Vietnam has promised to tighten security and protect visiting Malaysian fans, during tomorrow’s AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final.
Authorities there are planning to deploy thousands of police and separate rival supporters, to avoid a repeat of last Sunday’s violent clashes after Malaysia lost 2-1 to Vietnam.
“Even though the number of Malaysia fans is not too many, they will get seats in designated areas,” Can Van Nghia, the director of the national stadium, told Vietnamese state-run Thanh Nien Online.
“Malaysian fans will be very safe at My Dinh stadium.”
5 people were arrested after fighting broke out in the stands last weekend, with many angry fans resorting to social media with threats and taunts, along with an alleged Vietnamese hacking on the Football Association of Malaysia’s website (which has since been restored).
Harimau Malaya’s Safiq Rahim was also a target for many angry Vietnamese fans, over the unsportsmanlike conduct he portrayed during the game.
Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has since issued an apology to Vietnam’s supporters and spoke with Vietnam’s ambassador to Malaysia about security measures for the return leg.
We also published an open letter for all Vietnam fans, which you can read here.
Other posts by Azlyn Balqis
