Singapore-Jordan Scuffle

Police probe Singapore-Jordan scuffle

Singapore police were investigating on Thursday after bottles and punches were allegedly thrown following a
Singapore-Jordan Asian Cup qualifying match.

Singapore clinched a hard-fought 2-1 Wednesday night victory over Jordan, but members of the losing side confronted the Singaporeans on the way to the changing room, Eric Ong, spokesman for the Football Association of Singapore, told AFP.

"It was unprovoked," he said. "Punches were thrown. Bottles were thrown. Our players had to protect themselves."

He said a few members of the Singaporean squad received minor injuries including scratches, but the incident ended quickly.

"I wouldn't even call it a scuffle," Ong said.

Singapore defender Daniel Bennett was quoted as saying by The New Paper that "one of our boys" was celebrating the victory when "suddenly, it was a free-for-all after bottles were thrown".

Police were told of a dispute at the stadium changing room at about 9:50pm, a spokesman for the force told AFP.

"A dispute had occurred between two groups of soccer players. However, both groups were subsequently separated and police investigations into the case are ongoing," the police spokesman said.

Asked about injuries, the spokesman could say only that nobody was taken to hospital.

Sean Tohidi, director of communications at the Malaysia-based Asian Football Confederation, said he had heard the reports but had no official details.

"We're actually waiting for the match commissioner's report to come in," he said.