IPOH: Seven football fans were charged in the Magistrate's Court here with uttering profanities during a match between Perak FC and Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT).
Muhammad Ikhwan Muizzuddin Vira, 25; Muhammad Danish Hayqal Md Hanapi, 21; Muhammad Syawal Aiman, 20; and Mohammad Khairul Aizam Mohd Rizan, 26, claimed trial to the offence.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Zulhisyam Ramdan, 20; Muhammad Sufian Zamri, 32; and Muhammad Hasif Md Rahim, 28, pleaded guilty before Magistrate S. Punitha.
According to the charge sheet, the seven were accused of behaving disgracefully by using offensive language and showing the middle finger to Johor fans.
The offence was allegedly committed at Stadium Indera Mulia at 10.45pm on Aug 17.
The offence, under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act, carries a maximum fine of RM100.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Hidayu Zakaria prosecuted, while the accused were all represented by Ng Yun Khong, a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation.
Ng requested the court to impose the minimum fine on those who pleaded guilty, as well as minimum bail for those who pleaded not guilty.
"Mohamad Zulhisyam is an air-conditioning technician and earns RM1,500; Muhammad Sufian is unemployed and has a wife and a three-year-old child, while Muhammad Hasif is a factory operator who earns RM1,800 monthly, and his wife is currently pregnant.
"Muhammad Ikhwan is unemployed, Muhammad Danish works at a factory and earns RM1,800; Muhammad Syawal is a food delivery rider and earns RM300 per week while Mohammad Khairul is a technician and earns RM1,500.
"All of them have no previous records and pleaded guilty to this offence, which would save more time," he said.
Meanwhile, Nurul Hidayu asked the court to impose a fair punishment as a lesson for them.
The court then imposed a fine of RM100, with one day in prison in default of payment, and set RM500 bail for those who pleaded not guilty.
In the same proceeding, all of them also pleaded not guilty to the charge of intentionally obstructing public officials by not cooperating during a police inspection while they were carrying out their duties.
The offence was allegedly committed at the same venue and time.
The charge, under Section 186 of the Penal Code, carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, a RM10,000 fine, or both, if convicted.
Nurul Hidayu requested RM5,000 bail for each of them, while Ng requested a lower bail.
The court then set bail at RM1,500 with one surety for each of them and set Oct 10 for mention.
It was reported that they were detained after causing chaos and obstructing public officials during the match. The Malaysian Football League (MFL) had to postpone the match originally set for 9pm, due to poor weather and pitch conditions.