KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian badminton fans are at it again, this time with death threats.
And it has come down to men's singles player Ng Tze Yong to diffuse the tension by calling for peace and forgiveness.
Last week, following Tze Yong's exit in the semi-finals of the Super 750 French Open in Rennes, hard-core fans ganged up on one Darence Chan, a local and very vocal Malaysian badminton fan.
Annoyed by his loud chants and cheers, which some deem distracting to players on court, Darence has also come under fire for using air horns in venues.
However, sending death threats, though not the first time among Malaysian badminton fans, is simply taking it to another level.
So much so that Darence has since reached out to Tze Yong, apologising for his actions, which some fans claim to be the cause of Tze Yong's defeat in the French Open last four to China's Li Shi Feng.
In an Instagram story posted by Tze Yong on Wednesday, the world No. 15 player said: "To all the fans, please stop sending him death threats. End in peace."
Earlier Darence, whose Instagram handle is @darencechan_37, had reached out to Tze Yong, apologising and also saying, "I hope that there can be peace from both ends, as a lot of fans are slandering and giving me death threats.
"All I want is to freely express myself and to support Malaysia as I want the best for you all."
To which Tze Yong replied: "I accept your apology, but just don't do it anymore.
"I understand, you as a fan, hope that we can win the match, so maybe at that moment you didn't think too much about it.
"Thank you for your continued support. Peace."
It is not the first time Malaysian badminton fans have gone over the top.
In the past, even journalists lodged police reports after receiving death threats from social media fans.
