Malaysia footballer in ‘critical but stable’ condition after acid attack; High-profile players are encouraged to hire bodyguards

A Malaysian national team football player who was the victim of an acid attack on Tuesday is in a “critical but stable” condition with fourth-degree burns that require further surgery.

Faisal Halim suffered burns to his neck, shoulder, hands and chest over the weekend in Petaling Jaya district, outside the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The 26-year-old, nicknamed ‘Mickey’, plays on the right wing for Selangor Football Club and Malaysia.

“I’m in the hospital. Faisal’s condition is somewhat critical but stable,” Selangor Football Association deputy president Shahril Mokhtar said.

He said Faisal was initially diagnosed with second-degree burns, “but after he was transferred to another hospital, a plastic surgeon classified the injuries as fourth-degree burns.”

Shahril said Faisal would undergo further surgery, adding that his movements and speech were affected.

“We are shocked and disappointed that such an attack occurred in Malaysia. My concern is also for the mental health of the other players as the new season starts on Friday,” he said.

Selangor Football Club CEO Johan Kamal Hamidon said security for the club’s players, officials and staff had been increased, but he did not elaborate.

Selangor state police chief Hussein Omar Khan told reporters that investigations into the motive for the attack were ongoing and two suspects had been arrested.

A photo that went viral online showed a visibly shocked Faisal, shirtless, sitting on a bench with burn marks on his upper body.

The acid attack came three days after another international, Akhyar Rashid, was injured in a robbery outside his home in the eastern state of Terengganu.

Kuala Terengganu police chief Azli Mohamad Noor said the incidents were unrelated.

Malaysian Football Association president Hamidin Mohamad Amin called on top footballers to take precautions for their personal safety, including hiring bodyguards.

“If you are a big player, you can think about what the foreign footballers do, which is to get a bodyguard,” he said.