Suspect who attacked futsal referee in Muay Thai style identified

PETALING JAYA - The police have confirmed receiving a report regarding an incident in which a player attacked a referee during a futsal match at a sports complex in Damansara here last Tuesday.

Petaling Jaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said they had received a report related to the incident from the victim in his 40s at 12.12am last Thursday.

"The suspect has been identified, and the case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code," he said in a statement yesterday.

Mohamad Fakhrudin said they were alerted to a 13-second video that went viral on Instagram displaying the incident.

"A video depicting the assault on a referee during the futsal match at 9.45pm received 17,300 views and was shared by 78 people.

"Members of the public with information related to any criminal activity can contact the operations room of the Petaling Jaya District Police Headquarters at 03-79662222," he said.

The viral video shows the referee issuing a red card to a goalkeeper after he was seen committing a dangerous foul against an opponent.

However, suddenly, a player went berserk, rushing in and leaping, attacking the referee's back with knee strikes reminiscent of Muay Thai.