Singapore Fans Outraged Over Disrespectful Display of National Flag After Asean Championship Match

After Singapore secured a spot in the Asean Championship semi-finals with a 0-0 draw against Malaysia on December 20, not all supporters were pleased with the result. A group, believed to be Malaysia football fans, was seen posing for a photo while holding the Singaporean flag upside down, sparking a wave of outrage from Singaporeans.

The image, which spread widely on social media, shows 30 to 40 people holding the flags in an upside-down position. A zoomed-in version of the photo posted on Reddit further shows several men flashing middle fingers next to the flag, with a banner reading “Singapore” also held upside down.

This display of disrespect towards the national flag has garnered widespread condemnation from Singaporean netizens. Many expressed their anger, calling it “totally unacceptable,” with one commenter writing, “Anyone who behaves like this doesn’t deserve to live in their own country. Never play with a country’s flag that way.”

The incident was also criticised for reflecting poorly on the supporters and the image of Malaysian football fans in general. One individual noted that such actions were uncalled for, especially considering Malaysia’s football team had previously made it further in other tournaments. “I won’t waste my time with people who just tarnish their country’s reputation with childish behaviour,” one comment stated.

In defence of the wider fanbase, a Reddit user, who was reportedly at the match, pointed out that most Malaysian fans were respectful, suggesting that the actions of the few were not representative of the entire fan group.

Despite the controversy, the incident highlights the competitive tensions surrounding the Asean Championship, where Malaysia’s team was eliminated after finishing third in Group A, with a lone victory over Timor-Leste.

Singapore is set to play Vietnam in the semi-finals, with the first leg scheduled for December 26 at Jalan Besar Stadium.