A Malaysian footballer who was seriously injured after being doused with acid last month said Thursday he hoped his attackers could be brought to justice quickly.
In his first public appearance since the May 5 attack, a visibly scarred and emotional Faisal Halim told a news conference that he would focus on his recovery before attempting a return to football.
“I don’t know if I can return to football or not, I just hope people can pray for my return to the football arena,” he said. “I want to continue living my life normally, like the others, like the other players.”
“I hope that the perpetrators can be arrested as quickly as possible and charged in court,” he added.
Faisal, a winger for the Malaysian national team and national club Selangor FC, was attacked at a shopping mall, causing fourth-degree burns to his face, arms and torso, and affecting his speech and movement.
The incident was part of a series of attacks on Malaysian footballers that month, although police have denied the cases are linked.
Faisal, nicknamed Mickey, refused to speculate on the reasons for the attack, but admitted it had traumatized him and his family.
“I would rather lose thousands of dollars and stop playing football if I can be safe, if my family can be safe… but the support and prayers of the public have given me the strength to continue,” he said. he declared.
The attacks on Faisal and other footballers have prompted some clubs to step up their security.
