Malaysian football on guard after spate of attacks

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s FA has recommended players consider hiring bodyguards while Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) has beefed up security for its squad after their midfielder Safiq Rahim became the third player to be attacked over the last week. Safiq, a former national team captain, had his car windscreen smashed by unknown assailants late on Tuesday.

Selangor FC winger Faisal Halim was left in critical condition after being splashed with acid at a shopping mall on Sunday, while national team player Akhyar Rashid was injured in a robbery outside his home in the eastern state of Terengganu last week, media reported. Terengganu police have said both attacks were unrelated, but the incidents have sparked concern in Malaysia where violence against athletes is rare.

Safiq, who was unharmed in the incident, said in a copy of a police report shared on Instagram that two men on a motorcycle approached his car with a hammer and smashed his rear windscreen. “Did not expect that I would be attacked next near the JDT training centre. We need to be vigilant,” the 36-year-old said in an accompanying caption.