Rough tackle sparks brawl during football match, 7 nabbed

Police say the referees in the grassroots league game in Hilir Perak were also assaulted.

The brawl involved players from both sides, a team manager, as well as spectators. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 An aggressive tackle during a community football match yesterday sparked a brawl in Teluk Intan, Perak, and the arrests of seven people, including the manager of one of the teams.

Hilir Perak police chief Bakri Zainal Abidin said the seven, aged 21 to 31, were arrested at the district police headquarters at about 11.30pm after admitting to being involved in the flare-up.

Bakri said the brawl started during the second half of the Hilir Perak grassroots league match, after a player did a rough tackle on his opponent, Berita Harian reported.

This led to a scuffle between players from both teams before the situation got out of hand, with punches being thrown.

“During the commotion, two men believed to be supporters climbed over the fence and entered the field, and one of them tried to kick a player.

“This led to a scuffle between the player and the man,” he said.

He said the manager of one of the teams punched one of the referees in the ribs, and several players also attacked the other referee.

All those arrested, comprising the manager and players from both sides, were identified based on a viral video, which showed their jersey numbers.

They have been remanded until Sunday to assist in the investigation under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting. - FMT