Southeast Asian online community strongly reacts to Hai Phong fans' flare-lighting action
Flares are always banned in football cheering. Therefore, many people had strong reactions when witnessing Hai Phong fans abusing this tool.
The match between Hanoi FC and Hai Phong in round 6 of V.League 2019 at Hang Day Stadium on April 21 was interrupted many times when away team fans continuously lit flares and threw them onto the field, causing the stands to be engulfed in flames.
Setting off fireworks in the stands is considered a "specialty" of Hai Phong audiences every time they march to Hanoi. This has been causing headaches for authorities trying to find a solution but there is no solution yet.
On domestic and international football forums, the topic of flares in the stands of Hang Day Stadium also created a lot of controversy and sharing.
At ASEAN Football Community, one of the largest forums for football fans in Southeast Asia on Facebook, many members from countries in the region such as the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia have actively commented on the above incident.
Kenchin Llacher said: "I don't like this kind of cheering. I hope in the future, when my country the Philippines cares more about football, the Ultras groups will be more friendly like what they have in Japan, not causing harm to people."
Another fan named Benjamin Makarov recounted the story in Indonesia: "This image is similar to what happened in Indonesia in the 90s. It is very likely that within the next 10 years, there will be murders because of football in Vietnam. Fans should be careful."
A fan named Xerezielo Quillenium asserted: "The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) really hates such actions. The Football Association of Thailand has completely banned flares from the Thai League and all other tournaments in this country. No one has the right to be proud of such bad actions."
