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SINGAPORE: A former Tanjong Pagar United football player was ordered to undergo 15 months’ probation on Tuesday (Jan 6) for punching two rivals after a match.<\/p>\n
Rizqin Aniq Rahaizad, 20, will also have to perform 70 hours of community service and attend any intervention sessions for his violent offending, if necessary.<\/p>\n
His parents furnished a bond of S$5,000 to ensure his good behaviour during probation.<\/p>\n
Rizqin had pleaded guilty to a charge of voluntarily causing hurt, with a second charge taken into consideration.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred after a football match between Tanjong Pagar United U-21 and Albirex Niigata United U-21 on the night of Feb 10 last year at the Jurong East Stadium.<\/p>\n
During the match, after being blocked from a goal, one of the Albirex players shouted “happy or not” followed by a vulgarity at one of Rizqin’s teammates.<\/p>\n
Rizqin’s team won the match. During the customary post-match handshakes, Rizqin said “happy or not” to the Albirex player and punched his mouth, causing bleeding.<\/p>\n
Players and coaches intervened and Rizqin was taken off the pitch, but he returned and punched another Albirex player, knocking him unconscious.<\/p>\n
This player suffered a concussion and began having panic attacks after the incident. He was also diagnosed with mild post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder.<\/p>\n
Rizqin was assessed to be suitable for probation.<\/p>\n
The prosecution said that it had no objections to probation being imposed, noting that Rizqin had a low risk of offending and had several protective factors such as a demonstration of discipline and adherence to rules.<\/p>\n
He is now undergoing National Service.<\/p>\n
For voluntarily causing hurt, he could have been jailed for up to three years or fined up to S$5,000, or both.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n