Myanmar Footballer Punished For Showing Hand Sign In Support Of Anti-Protest Movement

A Myanmar footballer, currently playing in Malaysia Premier League (M-League) for Selangor, Hein Htet Aung was given a one match suspension for displaying a political symbol during a football match between Selangor II and PDRM FC.

Violating Article 59 of the FAM Disciplinary Code (2015), the player in question flashed the three finger salute that was deemed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) as “unsportsmanlike”.

For those who do not know the relevance of the three fingered salute, the gesture is an anti-authoritarian symbol which has been adopted by the people protesting the military coup in Myanmar.

Article 59, that imposed a one match ban towards Hein Htet Aung, defines using offensive gestures or language to insult someone in any way or unsporting behaviour as subject to sanctions.

Certain accounts have risen in support of Hein Htet Aung, one of them being @MYmilkteh.

Some of us who are on this tea account are very disappointed with this outcome that our brother Hein Htet Aung who has been playing for our Selangor state team and helping us succeed. He can't even show his condemnation for the terrorist tatmadaw #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

— Milk Tea Alliance Malaysia (@MYmilkteh) March 27, 2021

In their tweet they wrote: “We are very disappointed with this outcome. We stand with you, our brother.”

“Some of us who are on this tea account are very disappointed with this outcome that our brother Hein Htet Aung who has been playing for our Selangor state team and helping us succeed.”

“He can’t even show his condemnation for the terrorist Tatmadaw.”

Currently, Hein Htet Aung is set to sit out Selangor II’s next football match against Perak FC II on 2nd April 2021.

Also read: YouTube Terminates 5 Myanmar Military-Owned Channels