Score Goals And Show Symbols Of Myanmar's Military Anti-coup, This Footballer Is Subject To A Ban On Play

JAKARTA - The Selangor FC II winger from Myanmar Hein Htet Aung was punished by the Malaysian Football Federation (FAM) for displaying political symbols in official competition matches.

Htet Aung, wearing the number 10 jersey, is known to display the Three Finger greeting, the symbol used by Myanmar military anti-coup protesters in the Malaysia Premier League (M-League) match against PDRM FC on March 6 at MBPJ Stadium, Petaling Jaya.

In this away match, Selangor FC II managed to win a landslide victory with a score of 0-3. Htet Aung scored the opener in the 43rd minute. Hysterically, he celebrated the goal he scored by showing the symbol of the anti-coup of the Myanmar military, followed by a number of his teammates hugging Htet Aung.

As a result of this, Htet Aung is seen as displaying a political symbol in official matches in Malaysia. In a statement on Friday, March 26, FAM considered this to be unsportsmanlike.

Launching says.com, the FAM Disciplinary Committee considered the action violated the rules set by the federation. Htet Aung is said to have violated Article 59 of the FAM Disciplinary Code (2015 edition).

Article 59 of the FAM Disciplinary Code (2015 edition) broadly defines the use of 'offensive gestures or language', to insult someone in any way or 'unsportsmanlike behavior' in any way as the subject of sanctions.

As a result, Htet Aung, who is also a football player for the Myanmar national team, will be suspended from playing when his team against Perak FC II on April 2. He is also subject to stern warnings and threats of harsher punishment if he repeats his mistakes.

A photo of Hein Htet Aung giving the Three Finger Greetings, a symbol of the anti-coup resistance of the Myanmar military regime, was uploaded to the official Selangor II Twitter account after the match. However, the tweet containing the photo was deleted. Support for Hein Htet Aung's action was also busy in the media about Twitter.