Club Fans Slammed For Gathering At Stadium During Match

Story By:  Sofija DizdarevikSub-EditorAlex Cope, Agency:  Newsflash

Golders/@comrademalaya

Football fans have been slammed after footage surfaced showing them gathering in numbers outside their stadium to support their side during a match played behind closed doors.

The incident occurred at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in the city of Johor Bahru in Malaysia on Saturday 14th March in local side Johor Darul Ta’zim FC’s 1-1 draw with FELDA United FC in a Malaysian Super League match, which was played behind closed doors to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The video shows the moment hoards supporters gather around the stadium and chant despite their government recommending mass gatherings should be avoided.

Golders/@comrademalaya

Percussion instruments are heard playing in the background as the supporters sing a chant seemingly inspired by the popular song ‘Happy Together’ by American rock band ‘The Turtles’.

Several flares can be seen lit in the crowd as some supporters carry flags with their club colours as lights can be seen turned on within the stadium.

The fan base that attended the gathering reportedly call themselves ‘Boys of Strait’.

Local media report the supporters remained at the stadium for the full 90 minutes of the match going against guidelines given by the government which state citizens should not partake in gatherings that include more than 50 people.

The ‘Boys of Strait’ released a tweet saying: “Loyal with you, Johor. The constraints will not stop us! Let’s cheer outside the stadium for 90 minutes!”

The incident generated heavy criticism from netizens as it could lead to the further spread of COVID-19 across the country with a reported 790 cases and two deaths in Malaysia.

Siggtanirrajim’ left a comment: “Isis is wiser than boys of straits”.

‘davidchak’ commented: “This is why are we all going to die, because of idiots like them.”

‘Gosip Liga M’ said: “JDT supporters who call themselves Boys Of Straits are stubborn and have not listened to the MOH’s instructions by attending a closed-door match between JDT against Felda”.

‘acaiijawe’ left a comment: “All the indifferent gathered in the crowds even though Covid-19 has begun to spread”.

Johor Darul Ta’zim have won the Malaysian Super League six consecutive times making them the first club to win the league more than twice in a row since the introduction of the league system in 1979.

The Malaysian Football League postponed all football competitions from 16th March until further notice after they held an emergency meeting last week.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Amin said: “Safety is paramount and our goal is to avoid the spread of the virus among players and officials.”

It is unclear if the club faces any possible sanctions or fines.

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