Tanjong Pagar United sacks player after punching incident
Melvyn Teoh for The Straits Times
Tanjong Pagar United midfielder Aniq Rizqin, 19, has been terminated by the club two days after he was arrested following a punching incident at a Singapore Premier League (SPL) Under-21 league game.
The club said in a statement on social media on Feb 12: "Tanjong Pagar United Football Club would like to apologise to the club's fans and supporters, and to the fans of football for the post-match incident involving our U21 player. The club had met with the team manager, coaches and players of the U21 team to review the incident. After careful consideration, the club has decided to terminate the contract with Aniq Rizqin with immediate effect."
They "will continue to provide assistance to Aniq and to the authorities with regards to the police investigation", said the statement.
Aniq made his senior SPL debut in September 2024 during a 6-0 defeat by Lion City Sailors and has three appearances in the top flight.
Tanjong Pagar added: "The club does not condone violence and unsportsmanlike behaviour on and off the field. We have reiterated this message to all staff, players and committee members of TPUFC. We expect our players to maintain and uphold the standards of a footballer."
The incident occurred during an Under-21 league game between Tanjong Pagar and Albirex Niigata at the Jurong East Stadium on Feb 10.
In videos filmed by spectators at the stadium and posted online, Aniq is seen throwing a punch at Albirex defender Sim Jun Yen, 17, during the post-match handshakes.
Albirex defender Kenji Austin Ho, 20, then intervenes by pushing Aniq away but seconds later the latter sprints towards Ho to land a blow on his face, leaving the player motionless on the ground as teammates pull Aniq away.
The Straits Times understands that Ho has no memory of the incident, but medical checks showed that there was no fracture or bleeding in the brain.
Tanjong Pagar added in their statement: "We are in touch with Albirex Niigata to offer support to the affected player and we wish him well."
The Singapore Police Force said on Feb 11 in response to queries that after at about 9.40pm on Feb 10, it received a call for assistance at 21 Jurong East Street 31. It added in the statement that "a 20-year-old man was conveyed conscious to the hospital and "a 19-year-old man was subsequently arrested for public nuisance and is also being investigated for voluntarily causing hurt".
Police investigations are ongoing, and the Football Association of Singapore said that it is also investigating the incident.
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