A youth football match in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) Under-21 competition descended into violence on Feb 10, when Tanjong Pagar United midfielder Rizqin Aniq Rahaizad punched two Albirex Niigata players during post-match handshakes, leaving one of them unconscious.
The 20-year-old returned to court on Nov 25, where a probation suitability report was called after he was convicted of voluntarily causing hurt, according to ST.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Thaddeus Tan, tensions between the sides had been rising throughout the match, which drew nearly 200 spectators at Jurong East Stadium. At one point, Rizqin overheard a 17-year-old Albirex player taunting one of his teammates.
Tanjong Pagar narrowly secured a 3–2 win, but the situation escalated immediately after the final whistle. As both teams lined up for handshakes, Rizqin suddenly punched the 17-year-old Albirex player in the face. Staff and players from both clubs attempted to restrain him, but he broke free and rushed back onto the field to deliver a second punch — this time to Albirex defender Kenji Austin Ho, 20.
Ho collapsed and was left unconscious. He later awoke in confusion and was taken to hospital, where he was treated for concussion. Medical documents showed he subsequently developed panic attacks, mild post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder. Ho, who was serving national service at the time, has no memory of the incident.
The Singapore Police Force confirmed that officers responded to a call for assistance at 21 Jurong East Street 31 at about 9.40pm that night. “A 20-year-old man was conveyed conscious to the hospital. A 19-year-old man was subsequently arrested for public nuisance and is also being investigated for voluntarily causing hurt,” police said.
Footage recorded by spectators and circulated online shows Rizqin striking Albirex defender Sim Jun Yen, 17, during the handshake line, before sprinting at Ho and punching him.
In court, Rizqin showed no expression as the footage was played, ST added in its report.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said one person was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital at around 10pm. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said Ho was discharged on Feb 11 and that it is conducting its own investigation.
Albirex stated that none of its players or staff retaliated, saying they “behaved in a dignified manner throughout the incident.” A club official present added that the match itself had not been hostile until after the final whistle, though a Tanjong Pagar player had been issued a red card earlier.
In a Facebook statement, Tanjong Pagar United apologised to Albirex, their players and fans, stressing that “the actions displayed by our player do not reflect the values and standards of our club. We do not condone violence and unsportsmanlike behaviour.”
The club initially said it would consider terminating Rizqin’s contract, emphasising that “such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable.” The spokesman added that the club would review the matter after receiving all information from police and would introduce stricter measures to prevent similar incidents. Officials also planned to visit Ho, pending family approval.
Two days after the assault, on Feb 12, Tanjong Pagar United announced that Rizqin’s contract had been terminated. In March, ST reported that he had also been issued a 30-month ban by FAS and fined $2,000.
Rizqin faces up to three years’ jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for each charge of voluntarily causing hurt.
Image via Facebook
- Vape User Runs After Boyfriend Clashes With HSA Officer; Fined $2,700
- Man Maintains Secret Second Family for 30 Years; Jailed 17 Months for Bigamy
- ICA Officer’s Corruption Case Leads to Jail for Indian Student Who Sought Help With Visit Pass
- Exchange Student Jailed After Sneaking Into F1 Singapore Grand Prix Paddock Club
- Shocking : NSF pleads guilty to offering money to underage boys for sexual acts
