Eleven Burmese football fans were injured, one seriously, when they were attacked by Malaysian fans after a SEA Games match in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Speaking to DVB today, Ko Thet, the chairman of the Lovely Heart philanthropic association based in the Malaysian capital, said that at around 11:30pm, after the match had finished, the buses that had been arranged to pick up the Burma supporters parked on the wrong side of the stadium. The Burmese fans were then forced to walk through throngs of Malaysia fans and the scenes turned ugly.

“Some Burmese were assaulted with batons or stones,” he said. “Some Malaysian fans kicked them and punched them. There were reports of pickpockets and mobile phones stolen too. It was chaotic.”

Ko Thet said that he met one young man named Min Soe who had a broken jaw and a missing tooth after being beaten by a mob of Malaysian fans.

“He had to undergo an operation in hospital,” the Burmese expat volunteer said. “But his condition is not critical.”

A car belonging to some Burmese football fans was also reported to have been stoned and destroyed.

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Malaysian security forces intervened and escorted the buses carrying Burmese supporters to safety. Ko Thet said that the Lovely Heart group also helped more than 40 Burmese get back home safely.

“Malaysia beat Myanmar 3-1,” he added. “So there was no reason for any ill feelings. I have no idea why these attacks occurred.”

The Burmese embassy in Kuala Lumpur would not comment on the incident when contacted today by DVB.