The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports (MCYS) has addressed a recent incident involving members of Brunei Darussalam’s national football team during their participation in the ‘FIFA Days’ friendly matches in the Russian Federation, held from November 12 to 18, 2024. A video of the incident has been circulating on social media, prompting the Ministry’s response.
In a statement released on Monday, the MCYS expressed serious concern over the incident, emphasising that such behavior tarnishes the image and reputation of Brunei Darussalam, as well as undermines the integrity of its national athletes on the international stage. The Ministry underscored that the responsibility of representing the nation extends beyond performance on the field; it encompasses respect, discipline, ethics, and values that reflect Brunei’s identity as a Malay Islamic Monarchy.
The Ministry referred to a previous press release issued on October 8, 2024, reiterating its commitment to maintaining high standards of accountability and integrity. The MCYS called on all association officials and athletes to strictly adhere to regulations, laws, and codes of ethics, especially when representing the nation, in order to safeguard the country’s reputation.
Every member of the national delegation, including players and officials, is reminded of their duty to uphold the values of discipline, responsibility, and proper behavior both on and off the field. The Ministry has stated that any violations of the code of ethics or lapses in discipline will not be tolerated and will be addressed accordingly.
The MCYS confirmed that a full investigation into the incident will be conducted by the relevant authorities, and preventive measures will be put in place to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) in a separate statement stated, “Based on our investigation with all the parties involved, we conclude that this video has been edited to create a misleading narrative, commonly referred to as a ‘plot twist’.”
