Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim today complained that Johor Darul Takzim FC (JDT) is always viewed as the wrongdoer, regardless of the good it does.
The crown prince was commenting on Saturday night's melee between supporters of JDT and Perak FA during the Super League match between the two teams at Ipoh Stadium.
“No matter how many good things we do we will always be considered as bad. No matter how right you are, you will always be wrong in their eyes.
“It's always our fault,” he said, adding that the team would always have a problem each time it visits Perak.
Tunku Ismail said the Selangor, Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur teams were also facing the same fate.
“So I'm not surprised by this problem anymore. Now the people in Johor are surprised with the fact that they have twisted the story and to add salt to injury, the media and social media sites are on their side,” he said.
The crown prince admitted that he used to care about such issues as he wanted to safeguard the state’s good name.
Nowadays, however, the prince said he does not bother explaining anymore.
“This is because when someone doesn't like you, no matter how much good you do, you are still bad. So don't bother explaining. Just get used to it,” he said.
The commotion reportedly broke out between supporters of both teams following name-calling and provocation between the two sides.
According to Bernama, the provocation erupted when JDT supporters ran onto the pitch to celebrate their 1-0 victory, causing both teams' supporters to throw bottles and firecrackers at each other.
Ipoh police chief ACP Sum Chang Keong yesterday confirmed that police have arrested two supporters of JDT who brought flares into the stadium.
Sum said investigation papers had been opened against the two supporters under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957.
Meanwhile, commenting on calls made by several quarters that JDT’s points be deducted, the crown prince pointed out how he had already voiced out the matter to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) two years ago.
“I do not know why there are certain quarters raising the topic of deducting points now when we are already half way through the season. It should have been raised and implemented before the start of the season.
“However, should FAM decide to implement it now, we will accept their decision if we are guilty of the said offence,” he said.
Asked on action to be taken in relation to the commotion, Tunku Ismail said he had received and studied reports from the special task force from the Johor Police Contingent attached to JDT.
“I have studied the reports from them, and the difference between their reports and the recent reports issued by the print media as well as the social media are appalling,” he said.
The prince claimed that much of the story had been fabricated simply to sensationalise the issue and make it seem that JDT was at fault and had caused the whole commotion.
“I urge all parties to hear and read the reports from both sides first before pointing your fingers at anyone.”
