‘I probably should have been more respectful’: David Neo takes back ‘idiots’ jibe about HK fans & players

David Neo seen in video saying that Hong Kong fans were ‘idiots’ after Asian Cup qualifiers

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo has taken back his comments made after Singapore’s recent Asian Cup qualifying win over Hong Kong.

Addressing Singapore players in the locker room, Mr Neo said Hong Kong (HK) fans were “bloody idiots” and their players also “played like idiots”.

‘You all played like Lions’: David Neo praises players after victory

In the speech livestreamed by Lions player Ikhsan Fandi over Instagram, the acting minister was seen praising the players after the victory at the Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday (18 Nov) night.

Saying the team was “fantastic”, he added:

You kena pressured by them, all the fans were bloody idiots, end up players also…played like idiots, but you all played like Lions.

That last quip elicited loud cheers from those in the room.

Netizens say it was typical locker room banter

Many netizens who commented on the clip, which was shared on football news site @tmsgoal, saw no issue with Mr Neo’s banter, saying it was par for the course in sports teams’ dressing rooms.

While some appeared to agree, they also thought what was said should have stayed in the dressing room.

Giving some context to the comments, a user explained that the HK fans had jeered our players, allegedly shone torchlights at them and even cheered when Ilhan Fandi was stretchered off injured.

However, some maintained that as a minister, Mr Neo “should have been more respectful”.

David Neo takes back ‘idiots’ comment

Replying to that comment, Mr Neo agreed that he “probably should have been more respectful”, adding:

I take back what I said.

He said that while the HK team were “really tough” and their fans were “fully behind them”, that’s something we should respect.

He also suggested that, likewise, Singapore fans should get behind our Lions.

Singapore to take part in Asian Cup for the first time since 1984

Singapore’s win over Hong Kong means they will take part in the Asian Cup for the first time since 1984, when Singapore hosted the tournament.

It is also the first time Singapore has qualified for the Asian Cup on merit.

As Singaporeans welcomed the team back at the airport on Wednesday (19 Nov), Football Association of Singapore (FAS) President Forrest Li said they would get around S$2 million as a reward, reported The Straits Times.

Also read: 5 facts about Gavin Lee, the coach who finally led S’pore to Asian Cup qualification on merit

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Featured image adapted from @ikhsanfandi via @tmsgoal on Instagram.