PERAK FC player Tommy Mawat Bada has hit back at those who made racist comments over his altercation with Johor Darul Ta’zim winger Arif Aiman Hanapi on Sunday.
Following the incident, Tommy expressed his disappointment over the racial slur, which targeted his Dayak heritage.
In an Instagram post on Monday, the Sarawak-born footballer clarified that while he accepts criticism, racial remarks have no place in sports.
“Everyone has the right to express their opinions. If you want to be angry, tell me something or mock me, I am fine with it.
“We are just normal human beings living on the same planet Earth. If you are angry, do not hurt the feelings of my family or race, in this case, the Dayaks. Yes, I was born a Dayak, it is in my blood.
“I’m always proud of my race. So brothers and sisters, do not incite racial hatred, you will regret it later.
“Do not Dayak, Dayak me. What if other Dayaks saw and read your comment? Can you handle them? Do not be a clown and racist. God bless you and thank you. Do not spread hate among football," he wrote.
During the match, referee Razlan Joffri Ali yellow-carded both players, but some including JDT owner and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said both players should have been sent off.
The Football Association of Malaysia has said that it would probe the altercation between the two players. - November 13, 2024
