During mitigation, both of the accused who were unrepresented merely said that they admitted their wrongdoings and were willing to pay the fine.
During mitigation, both of the accused who were unrepresented merely said that they admitted their wrongdoings and were willing to pay the fine.

KOTA KINABALU: Two football fans who became unruly after being dissatisfied with the game were fined RM25 each.

Mohd Farid Tinih, 35, and Mohd Nor Azrul Junaidi, 32, were disappointed as Sabah lost against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in a match in July.

They were charged under Section 8(1)(e) of the Minor Offence Ordinances which provides for a RM25 fine upon conviction.

Farid pleaded guilty before magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun for misbehaving with the intention of disturbing the peace by throwing a water bottle onto the stadium running track on July 15 at 10pm.

Azrul, who appeared before magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie, admitted to have thrown a plastic cup containing water at the same time and place.

Farid will serve seven days' jail and Azrul one day if they fail to pay their respective fines.

In Farid's case, he went to watch the football match and sat at the grandstand. After the game, he threw the water bottle filled a quarter of the way with water towards the football players who were walking into the dressing room.

The bottle did not hit anyone but Farid was nabbed by police when he was about to leave the grandstand.

As for Azrul, he was apprehended by other spectators after the water from his plastic cup splashed and fell on other fans who sat at the grandstand. He was then handed over to police for further action.

During mitigation, both of the accused who were unrepresented merely said that they admitted their wrongdoings and were willing to pay the fine.

Their nonchalant attitude prompted the court to question whether they understood why they were charged in court.

Farid apologised and promised not to commit such an offence again when Jessica said she wanted to ban him from going to Likas Stadium as the action was an embarrassment.

The food delivery rider also told the court that he was from Sandakan and currently residing in Kinarut.

For Azrul, he told the court that he acted impulsively and followed others who expressed their disappointment by throwing items onto the stadium running track.

He said he had learnt his lesson and promised not to repeat the offence.

Stephanie said Azrul was lucky as the section only provides a fine, otherwise, she would have meted a heavier sentence including imprisonment as a lesson.

Inspector Albert Basiri and Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit who prosecuted the cases urged for an appropriate sentence.

In the match, Sabah lost 2-1 to JDT which led to several incidents, including throwing of water bottles and heated arguments among fans.

Video clips of the incidents went viral on various social media platforms including Facebook with many netizens shaming those involved, saying these actions were an embarrassment and showed poor sportsmanship.

Both accused paid their fines.