A MALAYSIAN United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) central executive committee member has criticised Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu for calling Malaysian fans a “distraction” to the national footballers.
This is following Harimau Malaya’s defeat to Bahrain in the 2023 Asian Cup football qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last Saturday (June 11).
Ahmad Faizal’s statement went viral on social media after he allegedly said the cheering of local fans was one reason the national team lost focus in their match against Bahrain and lost 2-1.
On this matter, Nurainie Haziqah, more commonly known as Ainie Haziqah said that Ahmad Faizal must understand that it is the nature of the game that fans cheer for their favourite team to give moral support.
“He needs to appreciate the ‘12th player’ or fan support who went to the game to cheer and give moral support to our national football team,” she told FocusM.
“I’m sure he, too, had cheered from his VVIP seat, so there shouldn’t be any problem for the fans to do the same. I applaud fans who came as early as 5pm to show their support for the national team.”
According to Ainie, Malaysian football fans had arrived to the stadium last Saturday soaking wet from the rain, with many of them having to park as far as 2km away from the stadium.
“Rather than criticising them, Ahmad Faizal should appreciate their effort to come and cheer for the national team under such circumstances,” she remarked.
“As the Youth and Sports minister, Ahmad Faizal and his team should be aware of the consequences of releasing such a statement which could not only dishearten the fans but the players as well.”
Ahmad Faizal had since apologised for his statement following criticism from disgruntled fans on social media.
Acknowledging the importance of the support from local football fans during the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers, he said that the cheers and support of the fans as the 12th player is very important and is very much appreciated.
“My previous statement on football has been misunderstood. Forgive me and I’m sorry for my mistake,” he tweeted via his Twitter account. – June 15, 2022
