KUALA LUMPUR: Former Kedah player Azmeer Yusof revealed that he was bullied in his early years as a professional footballer.
Azmeer shared his experiences in a post on social media today which included being isolated by players in his team - the perpetrator was later kicked out of the team - having his flight ticket crumpled up and thrown in a rubbish bin and being forced to carry all the players bags at the airport.
He had to wash the shoes and clothes of his seniors and fold them before giving them back, as well.
He was also pranked by a player a year older than him, with the latter blocking the flow of petrol to his motorcycle carburetor. When trying to figure out the issue, Azmeer accidentally touched his exhaust pipe and burnt his hand.
Azmeer, 36, added that he endured many more bullying episodes, but is happy to see that such situations do not occur much in football today, as there is less of a gap between junior and senior players.
"Bullying is not a form of education, please change this perception," said Azmeer.
"I never learnt anything from what I endured. If you want to say that my mental strength is low, I have, with the will of Allah, managed to remain in the football industry until now.
"Alhamdulillah, I see there are less (bullying) cases than before. Remember, joking and bullying are two different things."
Azmeer added that he never acted in a way that hurt a person's feelings even when he became a senior player.