FORMER football players have appealed to the police to be transparent in their investigation into a spate of attacks on football players, which has caused speculation and set off many rumours among the public
They were particularly disturbed by the May 6 acid attack on Harimau Malaysia and Selangor FC winger Faisal Halim in Kota Damansara.
Faisal is among four footballers who were attacked last month.
Terengganu FC player Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid was the first victim. He was set upon by two robbers in Kuala Terengganu on May 2. He suffered injuries to his head and leg.
Johor Darul Ta'zim player Safiq Rahim, who is also on the national team, had the rear windscreen of his car smashed with a hammer by two men on a motorcycle in Johor Baru on May 7.
Last week, Selangor FC player, Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee, had his home burgled while he was out training.
The former players who spoke to The Vibes questioned the contradictory statements from the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in relation to the attacks.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain had previously said that the Faisal incicent was not bookie-related, but on Tuesday, MACC chief Azam Baki told the press that the anti-graft body suspected match-fixing and corruption in the national football league following the attacks on players.
Police have released a photofit of the acid attack suspect but have yet to make an arrest.
Former national football player Radhi Mat Din said the police have to quickly identify the perpetrators to end the speculation surrounding the attacks.
Radhi also urged the Football Association of Malaysia to guard the players.
"I have heard so many rumours. I do not know what's happening or who is behind the attacks.
"But they are not isolated incidents because they all happened in a short span of time.
Who is behind these attacks and what's the motive?
"Are they bookie-related? Are they personal? They (the police) must tell us," said Radhi, who is now a Kedah exco member.
Former Selangor player Shahrin Majid said the victims must focus on their recovery.
Shahrin, who won numerous titles with the Red Giants, urged Faisal not to give up.
"Whoever is behind the attack, the police have to take action.
"Faisal has to realise that he is a professional football player and this is the path he has chosen, to be a footballer.
"He has to know that in football, the pressure is very high. You must perform well and you must be able to handle the pressure," said Shahrin.
Another former national footballer, who declined to be named, said the police must resolve the cases quicky.
"It is sad to see we have stooped this low in sports. We are not a third world country where we use violence to deal with everything. We cannot behave like this.
"The players' families have surely been traumatised," the former midfielder said.
Last week, Selangor fans told The Vibes they believed their football club was being targeted after Khuzaimi's house was burgled. Prior to that, Selangor FC chief executive officer Johan Kamal Hamidon was said to have received a threatening phone call from an unidentified person who said Johan would be the next acid attack victim.
Fans said the latest incident involving Khuzaimi was no coincidence because the coaching staff and the club CEO were also threatened. – May 31, 2024.
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