KUALA LUMPUR: Dion Cools, who was a heroic figure in Malaysia's recent pre-World Cup campaign, found himself embroiled in an Asian Champions League brawl on Thursday.
Playing for Thai club Buriram United against China's Zhejiang in Huzhou, Cools found himself manhandled by the opponents.
Tempers flared after the final whistle saw Zhejiang winning 3-2.
It is learnt that the fight broke out after a verbal spat between Buriram's Theerathon Bunmathan and a Zhejiang bench player.
Cools attempted to cool things down but Zhejiang midfielder Zhang JIaqi came at him from behind with a choke-hold. And it led to a heated exchange with a Zhejiang team official.
Security officers intervened and brought both teams to their changing rooms.
Asian Football Confederation secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said he is aware of the incident and is awaiting reports.
"We wait for the reports to come in and then decide if it warrants our committees to look into it," said Windsor.
