'They were bloody idiots': Acting Minister David Neo caught blasting Hong Kong fans after Singapore team win
Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo was caught on livestream calling Hong Kong's fans and players "idiots" during a post-match celebration.
Mr Neo had been addressing the Singapore team after their historic 2-1 comeback victory over Hong Kong.
In a screen recording of Singaporean footballer Ikhsan Fandi's livestream, shared by @tmsgoal on Instagram, the Singapore players are seen gathered around a table cluttered with food and spilled drinks.
Addressing the players, Mr Neo, who was previously Chief of Army, can be heard saying that the Singapore team was fantastic, despite being pressured by the other team.
"All the fans were bloody idiots. And the players also played like idiots," he said.
"But you all played like lions," he added, prompting the team to erupt in cheers.
Some viewers were taken aback.
"Totally out of order as a minister. He should have been more respectful," one commenter said.
Others defended him, saying he had cheered the team on with "unfiltered energy". Another said he had simply spoken the truth.
"To be fair, the fans were booing our players when they had the ball," said a user.
Others felt that the chat should have been kept private. "What's said in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room," one commented.
Responding in a comment, Mr Neo acknowledged that he should have been more respectful.
"I take back what I said. The Hong Kong team were really tough and their fans were fully behind them," he wrote.
"That's something we should respect, and let's also get behind our Lions."
Shouting match breaks out between Singapore and Hong Kong fans
In a separate incident, a video of fans from both sides arguing outside Kai Tak Sports Park also made the rounds.
The clip, uploaded by @cisbros on Instagram, shows eight men in a heated exchange, with one wearing a Singapore jersey and white pants.
He later turns and walks away with another man dressed in green and black, while the rest of the group follows behind, hurling insults at the pair.
"Singapore, go back home," one person can be heard shouting, while others yell expletives in Cantonese. "You're ****ing boring anyway."
Passers-by stand in groups around the open space, some watching the explosive argument while others remain unfazed.
'That's weak': Netizens unimpressed by insults
The video was later taken down, but reposted on subreddit r/SingaporeRaw.
Some netizens were unimpressed by the insults, while others joined in to defend the Singaporean fans.
"Only insult is boring? That's weak," one netizen commented.
Others shrugged it off. "Taunting is part of soccer culture," said one, while another commented that the interaction was "mild".
