Singapore minister retracts remarks after calling Hong Kong players and fans idiots

Singapore's Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo has retracted his remarks after calling "Hong Kong players and fans idiots".

Singapore's Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo and players celebrate in the locker room after Singapore won a ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup - Photo: Instagram

The Singapore football team defeated host Hong Kong 2-1 at Kai Tak Stadium on November 18 in the fifth match of Group C of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. This victory helped Singapore win a ticket to the Asian Cup for the first time in 43 years.

In a live clip that went viral online, Mr. David Neo congratulated the Singapore players and said: "It's amazing, the Singapore team is amazing. You guys were pressured by them. All the Hong Kong fans are idiots. In the end, their players played like idiots... But all of you played like lions."

David Neo's comments were met with criticism on social media. He later issued a statement on Instagram, saying: "I should have been more respectful. I take back what I said.

The Hong Kong team is really strong and the fans fully support them. That is something we should respect. And let's also support our Singapore team."

The clip was apparently filmed in the Singapore team's dressing room after the match. But the video later appeared on social media and caused controversy.

Supporter Said aw04d4wat wrote: "What was said in the dressing room should have stayed in the dressing room... Let's move on. Don't let this distract us from our real goal of improving Singapore football."

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bo-truong-singapore-xin-rut-lai-loi-sau-khi-goi-cau-thu-va-nguoi-ham-mo-hong-kong-la-ke-ngoc-20251121050114351.htm