19-year-old footballer arrested for punching two Albirex Niigata players in SPL U-21 match
A 19-year-old Tanjong Pagar United footballer was arrested after attacking two Albirex Niigata players following a Singapore Premier League Under-21 match. One victim was hospitalised but later discharged. The club condemned the act and may terminate the player’s contract as investigations continue.
SINGAPORE: A 19-year-old Tanjong Pagar United footballer was arrested for attacking two Albirex Niigata players after a Singapore Premier League (SPL) Under-21 match at Jurong East Stadium on 10 February.
The Singapore Police Force confirmed the incident, stating that they received a call for assistance at 21 Jurong East Street 31 at around 9.40 pm, according to The Straits Times.
“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,” the statement read. Police investigations are ongoing.
Videos filmed by spectators and circulated online show Tanjong Pagar midfielder Aniq Rizqin, 19, punching Albirex defender Sim Jun Yen, 17, during post-match handshakes.
Albirex defender Kenji Austin Ho, 20, intervened by pushing Aniq away, but moments later, Aniq sprinted towards Ho and struck him in the face. Ho fell motionless to the ground before teammates restrained Aniq.
According to ST, Ho has no memory of the incident. However, medical checks confirmed that there were no fractures or brain bleeding. The Singapore Civil Defence Force stated that it received a call for assistance at about 10 pm, and one individual was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) later confirmed that the injured player was discharged on 11 February.
Albirex Niigata issued a statement on social media on 11 February, stating that an internal investigation was conducted. “We have conducted our own investigation and are pleased to report that none of our players, including Ho, and team staff were involved in any retaliatory actions. They have behaved in a dignified manner throughout the incident,” the club said.
A club official present at the match, who declined to be named, stated that a Tanjong Pagar player received a red card during the game. However, the match, which ended 3-2 in Tanjong Pagar’s favour, had not been particularly heated until the post-match altercation.
Tanjong Pagar United issued an apology to Albirex Niigata, their players, and their supporters. In a Facebook statement, the club said, “The actions displayed by our player do not reflect the values and standards of our club. We do not condone violence and unsportsmanlike behaviour.”
A Tanjong Pagar spokesman later confirmed that the club is considering terminating Aniq’s contract. The 19-year-old had made his senior SPL debut in September 2024 during a 6-0 defeat to Lion City Sailors and has since made three appearances in the top division.
“Such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and goes against the core values of sportsmanship and fair play that we uphold at our club,” the spokesman said. “We believe that immediate action must be taken. We will convene and decide after getting all facts from the police.”
The club also announced plans to implement stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Officials are also seeking approval from Ho’s family to visit him following the attack.
