NATIONAL winger Faisal Halim today revealed that he was ready to quit football following the horrific acid attack on May 2.
Faisal, better known as Mickey, could not hold back his tears as he recalled the incident which he described as horrible and frightening.
"I was willing to give up tens of thousands of ringgit from my salary as a footballer as long as my family was safe.
"I was ready to return to my hometown to work as an ordinary man. I did not want to live in fear," said a teary Faisal who was making his first public appearance after the acid attack.
Penang born Faisal said it was Selangor FC deputy president Shahril Mohktar who changed his mind to keep on fighting.
"I told Datuk Seri (Shahril) I was ready to lose my income but he showed faith in me and he assured me that my safety including my family will be taken care of.
"Because of my faith and belief, I changed my mind and I am now eager to return to football. I am working hard to improve myself and overcome this trauma," Faisal told the media at the Football Association of Selangor training ground in Shah Alam today.
Shahril and several club officials were present with Faisal this afternoon.
Recovery may take up to six months
Faisal said he is not sure on the date of his return but added that doctors said he would need three to six months for a full recovery.
"Like I said, I am eager to return, I have started cycling at home to regain my fitness, even Datuk Seri (Shahril) was surprised with my progress. All I want is to get back to my best," he added.
On the acid attack on May 5, Faisal said wanted to move forward.
"It was very painful (the acid attack), it was unbearable.
"People know me as a friendly person and I have no problems with anyone. I do not know if I have enemies.
"Maybe I have to be arrogant or not so friendly after this. Maybe I was too nice to everyone," he said.
During the press conference, Faisal also disclosed that he no longer wants to live in fear.
"I lived at a secret location after I was discharged from hospital. I cannot live such a life. How long must I live in fear.
"I told Datuk Seri (Shahril) I am ready to live a normal life. That's why I am here today with the media addressing the situation," he said.
No update on the case
Meanwhile, Faisal said police have not been updating him, nor the club on the status of the investigation.
Previously, Shahril also told The Vibes that police have yet to update the club on the progress of the investigation.
Police, however, did release a photo fit of the suspect who splashed acid on Faisal but no arrests have been made so far.
Terengganu FC loan player Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid was the first to be attacked when he was set upon by two robbers in Kuala Terengganu on May 2. He suffered injuries to his head and leg.
Then Faisal was splashed with acid outside a shopping complex in Petaling Jaya before Johor Darul Ta’zim player Safiq Rahim, who is also on the national team, saw the rear windscreen of his car smashed with a hammer by two men on a motorcycle in Johor Baru on May 7.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain had previously said that Faisal’s incident was not bookie-related, but on Tuesday, MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki recently told the media the anti-graft body was investigating suspected match-fixing and corruption in the national football league following the attacks on players.
Faisal signed up for the Red Giants (Selangor) in December 2022 from Terengganu FC.
He first garnered widespread attention with his home state team, Penang, in the 2014 Piala Presiden before moving to Sri Pahang in 2016.
He was one of the key players who helped Tok Gajah lift the FA Cup in 2018 and made 79 appearances, scoring 10 goals and notching four assists in his five-year stint with the team.
Faisal then moved to Terengganu FC where he helped the team take the runner-up spot in the Super League, scoring 27 goals and 42 assists in 101 games with “Sang Penyu”. – June 13, 2024.
