Malaysia football: Mystery attacks on players overshadow season start

The start of Malaysia's football season is overshadowed by concerns about player safety following a series of attacks. Three members of the national team have been assaulted this month, leading to the cancellation of the season-opening charity match. Faisal Halim, a winger, was left in critical condition after an acid attack in a shopping mall. The motive for the attacks and whether they are linked is still unknown. The football association has urged high-profile players to take precautions, including hiring bodyguards. Faisal Halim suffered serious burns after being splashed with acid while shopping near the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on 5 May. The 25-year-old star winger has since undergone skin graft surgery and remains in intensive care. Police are analyzing the fingerprints of a suspect arrested at the mall, according to local media reports. In another incident, midfielder Safiq Harim, 36, was unharmed after being confronted by hammer-wielding men who smashed his car windscreen. A third player, Akhyar Rashid, 26, was attacked by robbers outside his home. The season-opening Charity Shield game was canceled on Friday after Faisal's club, Selangor FC, withdrew.