Malaysian footballer ‘critical but stable’ after shocking acid attack

A Malaysian footballer has been left in a “critical” condition in hospital after he was attacked with acid amid a spate of attacks.

Faisal Halim has suffered horrific injuries. Photo: Getty Images and X

A Malaysian international footballer is in a “critical but stable condition” after being attacked with acid which left him with fourth-degree burns.

The 26-year-old Faisal Halim was splashed with concentrated sulfuric acid in front of a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur on May 5, according to Malaysian Police.

Watch selected NRL & AFL games, along with every F1 race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial today

The Malaysian right winger is in the intensive critical unit with the horrific burns while police investigate the motive behind the attack.

Fourth degree burns are considered a medical emergency and go through both layers of skin

Halim suffered serious burns to his face, neck, shoulders, hands and chest, and officials confirmed Halim’s movement and speech had been affected and would require surgery.

Halim plays for Selangor Football Club in the Malaysia Super League as well as on Malaysia’s national team, where he’s earned 32 caps, scoring 15 goals and representing the nation since 2019.

“Faisal will now undergo at least two more surgeries as determined by doctors,” deputy president of the association Shahril Mokhtar told Bernama national news outlet.

“Currently he is still in the ICU and is being closely monitored by specialists.

“The left side of his body and arm are severely affected, which affects his movement.

“It’s quite bad, he can’t really feel his left arm and couldn’t communicate clearly after surgery. He’s feeling stiff and is unable to talk well.”

Faisal Halim for Malaysia. Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

The horrific injuries were soon shared on social media. Photo: X

Two men have reportedly been arrested in connection with the attack.

It’s part of a spate of attacks that have hit football players in Malaysia although the incidents appear unrelated.

Halim’s teammate Akhyar Rashid was injured in a robbery outside his home in the eastern state of Terengganu last week.

Rashid was left with a 4cm gash on his forehead after being attacked by the armed robbers.

Former Malaysia skipper Safiq Rahim became the third footballer to be attacked in the past week after he was threatened with a hammer and his car windscreen smashed by two assailants.

Safiq was not injured in the attack late Tuesday in southern Johor state following a training session with JohorDarul Ta’zim, one of Asia’s top clubs run by the crown prince of the Johor royal family.

The 36-year-old midfielder posted a photo of his black Honda with its rear windscreen smashed on Instagram.

Safiq Rahim in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in 2015. Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

“Didn’t expect to be attacked near the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) training centre. We need to be vigilant,” he wrote in the post.

He also shared a copy of the police report he made on Instagram where he said: “Two men on a motorcycle suddenly approached my car armed with a hammer and smashed my rear car windscreen.”

“I stopped the car and I was in fear.”

Football Association of Malaysia president Hamidin Mohamad Amin on Tuesday urged high-profile footballers to take precautions about their personal safety, including hiring bodyguards.

Malaysian football had its glory days in the 1970s and 1980s and achieved its highest-ever ranking of 73 in 1993.

Originally published as Malaysian footballer ‘critical but stable’ after shocking acid attack