FAM sends protest letter for provocative chants from Indonesian fans

During the match between Malaysia and Thailand, which saw the latter win 2-1, in Surabaya, Indonesia, the chants of "Malaysia itu anjing" ("Malaysia are dogs") and "Amirul itu anjing" ("Amirul is a dog") could be heard from sectors of Indonesian fans.

It was believed to be in response to Malaysia U-16 forward Amirul Ashrafiq Hanifah's mistake of using Poland's national flag instead of Indonesia's in a social media post despite him already issuing an apology for the error.

"The actions of the Indonesian fans were extremely overboard as it was a big insult to the name of Malaysia," wrote FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam in an official Facebook post.

"Hence the action of sending in the letter of protest to AFF and AFC was swiftly undertaken so that both parties concerned can take the necessary actions in making sure the same thing will not happen during the U-16 squad’s next Group B match against Brunei at the same stadium this Friday.

"In making sure that the level of safety for the U-16 squad is assured, the FAM has decided to send FAM exco member ACP Md Dali Wahid, a high ranking PDRM official, to Surabaya tomorrow to evaluate the safety measures implemented by the host nation and organisers.

"If it is found that the host nation and organisers are taking this issue lightly, the FAM will not hesitate to take more drastic actions in the future.'

He also noted that Malaysia were fined US$30,000 (RM121,702) for defamatory chants towards Brunei and Singapore during the men's football event at the 2018 SEA Games.

Earlier, former FAM president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim also condemned the Indonesian fans' action.

"Action needs to be taken and I believe that it has to be done immediately," he was quoted saying on Johor Darul Ta'zim's official Facebook page.

"This is not a question of resolving the situation diplomatically. The name of our country has been tarnished and degraded."