Four Harimau Malaya fans charged with rioting

Four Harimau Malaya fans were charged in the Magistrate's Court here, today with rioting during the Malaysia-Saudi Arabia match at Shah Alam Stadium on Sept 8.

Norazman Noraziz, 24, Mohd Shahrul Azlan Mohd, 32, Hazim Kamarulzaman, 35, and Shamsul Nirwan Halid, 37, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them before Magistrate Norshakinah Ahmad Kamarudin.

The four were charged with rioting by burning flares, smoke bombs, rocket firecrackers and hurling them towards the stadium and committing violent acts.

They allegedly committed the act together with several individuals still at large at Kuadron C, Shah Alam Stadium, at 10.50pm.

If convicted, the four men charged under Section 147 of the Penal Code, face a jail sentence of two years or a fine or both.

Norazman and Shahrul Azlan were represented by counsel Anwar Raof, Hazim by counsel Arik Zakri Abdul Kadir and Shamsul Nirwan by counsel Nik Mohamed Ikhwan Nik Mahamud.

Magistrate Norshakinah set bail at RM3,800 for each of the accused and fixed Oct 16 for case mention and submission of documents.

On Sept 15, two football fans belonging to Ultras Malaya, including the group leader, pleaded not guilty to charges of rioting in the same court.

They were Mohd Ridzuan Ahmad, 36, also known as 'Lekir' and Nudzul Haqimi Zulkepli, 31.

Rioting forced referee Liu Kwok Man of Hong Kong to abandon the 2018 World Cup/2019 Asian Cup qualifying match two minutes from time.

Saudi Arabia were leading Malaysia 2-1.