Malaysia's sports minister apologised on Monday after home fans attacked Vietnamese supporters during a Suzuki Cup semi-final, in ugly scenes that resulted in five arrests. Khairy Jamaluddin said he personally witnessed assaults at Malaysia's cavernous Shah Alam Stadium, where Vietnam beat the hosts 2-1 in the first leg on Sunday. "I saw with my own eyes, the Vietnamese supporters were assaulted by a group of Malaysian fans at Shah Alam stadium," the minister wrote on his Facebook page.
"There is no excuse for this violent behaviour. These violent fans do not represent Malaysia. My sincere apologies on behalf of Malaysia for the actions of these small number of irresponsible thugs," he added. At least one Vietnam fan was injured in clashes at the end of Sunday's rain-soaked match, a police official told AFP, adding that five people were arrested.
The biennial Southeast Asian championship carries high stakes for regional fans, whose teams struggle to qualify for the Asian Cup or World Cup. Vietnamese fans were urged not to carry out reprisals on the group of about 1,000 Malaysians who are expected to attend the second leg in Hanoi on Thursday. "They are not extremist. Don't take revenge against them," said Tran Song Hai of the Vietnamese Football Fans Association, according to state-run VTC news.
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