Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer Aniq Rizqin gets 30-month ban, $2k fine for violent conduct
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The club were also fined $5,000 for failing to ensure that their players “conducted themselves in a sporting manner”.
PHOTO: ST READER
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SINGAPORE – Former Tanjong Pagar United player Aniq Rizqin has been handed a 30-month ban by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and fined $2,000 after he was found guilty of two counts of violent conduct.
The 19-year-old had punched two Albirex Niigata players
The club were also fined $5,000 for failing to ensure that their players “conducted themselves in a sporting manner”, with half the fine suspended until Dec 31, 2026 if the club can ensure “no similar misconduct occurs in the SPL U-21 League or its equivalent”.
In a statement posted on social media on March 5, the SPL said: “The FAS disciplinary committee has found Tanjong Pagar United FC player Rizqin Aniq guilty of two counts of violent conduct.
“He has been suspended from all FAS-sanctioned tournaments and matches for 30 months and fined $2,000.”
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 Singapore Police Force said on Feb 11 in response to queries from The Straits Times that it received a call for assistance at 21 Jurong East Street 31 at about 9.40pm on Feb 10.
It added 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”.
Aniq, who was held for questioning overnight at the Police Cantonment Complex, was scheduled to enlist for national service in the same week.
On Feb 12, Tanjong Pagar announced that they had terminated Aniq’s contract.
He said: “I would like to apologise to everyone at the stadium, Albirex and both players that I have hurt.
“I understand that my actions were unnecessary and uncalled for.
“It was a mistake that I have made... I assure that this will not happen again.”
He had also written a letter of apology addressed to Albirex and handed it to Tanjong Pagar.
“If conditions allow, I definitely want to return to the football scene,” he added.
“I hope (people) will give me a second chance.
“This was a mistake I made and I am very regretful. Maybe I am not mature enough right now and as time (in NS) goes by, I’ll be more matured and definitely learn how to control my emotions.”
Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times.
